Scottish author Foday Mannah, was born in London but spent his early years in Sierra Leone. His debut novel The Search of Othella Savage is based around the expatriate Sierra Leone community in Scotland but also takes readers to Sierra Leone. It is a crime novel but one in which the crime and its investigation are deeply infused with the culture and history of Sierra Leone.
The protagonist of The Search for Othella Savage is Hawa Barrie, who is living and studying in Scotland but also as a the overseas member of the family, buying dresses and other supplies for her sister’s wedding. While working as a cleaner at a local hotel, Barrie meets and befriends an African American singer, Anaka, who becomes a bit of a reader surrogate in learning about the Sierra Leone community. Hawa introduces Anaka to her friend Othella Savage and when Othella goes missing in mysterious circumstances following the death of another young woman from their community, the two start to investigate. The disappearance seems to be connected to the local chapter of the Lion Mountain church run by the charismatic Father Ranka and his English wife.
The Disappearance of Othella Savage takes readers deep into the Sierra Leone community, including a trip to the country for Hawa’s sister’s wedding. And Mannah does explore the influence of the Church, issues of corruption and exploitation of women as ambassadors for the church’s fundraising efforts. But this is in no way black and white – Mannah ensures that readers understand the complexity of the relationships and the situation. The story is also written in a very matter-of-fact style in which twists and surprises are not telegraphed and land as just the way life happens.
The Search of Othella Savage does what all good crime fiction does – Mannah uses the tropes of the genre to go deeply into a milieu that will be unfamiliar to many readers and make it come alive. With an appealing central investigative duo, and a deep respect and understanding of the community that he is portraying, Mannah delivers a delightful (if sometimes dark) crime fiction debut.

LOVED IT, LOVED IT . Due to health issues cannot not but will write a proper review at a later time
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

this book felt very real and very current. there is so much not said and being revealed about the people in power holding terrible control over certain communities or individuals and using their position to do so. this book handles that subject ever so well. and it portrayed that kind of manipulation of power perfectly. this kind of thing we are seeing happening in the political and religious worlds and even the online world via social media leaders.
the story in itself felt so unique and original to me and the setting took me to whole new worlds which i loved exploring via the author and Foday described both places both home and away so well. the little pockets of cultural learning i also got was most enjoyable and filled me with so much empathy for these communities and how it must feel sometimes. and you can also see why some people turn to such people of power to belong.
i also loved how the power of true friendship can mean so much and make moving mountains for answers just happen as a given. when those we care about are involved its a shot of super power type strength you get to find out if they are ok.
in this book our main character is on the search for her childhood friend. this is the second woman who has gone missing from their community who was also part and under a religious man she has come to mistrust or at least question from the African church of Scotland. and this begins Hawa off on her journey for answers.
this takes her on a quest from Scotland all the way to Sierra Leone to find out just how dark this undercurrent in the religious setup truly goes. and what could it be a cover for via the people behind it?

This was very different for me, not the usual genre I would pick up! However, I really enjoyed it.
Getting to see the two investigation parallel to one another, that lead by Hawa and the other by the police, was really interesting and very well written.

A very intriguing read with multicultural aspects.

I would definitely recommend picking up a copy!

This was such a gripping read that grabbed me in its clutches and wouldn't let me go. When life got in the way and I had to put it down, I couldn't stop thinking about it.
This is such a thought provoking read that has a dark undertone and I absolutely loved it, the writing was so enticing. I can't wait to read more by this author

Thank you Netgalley and Quercus for sending this novel where we meet Hawa, originally from Sierra Leone who now lives in Scotland. Her life is organized between her studies, her friends, her work and visits to the church: Lion Mountain Church. When several young girls, all members of this church disappear, Hawa begins to investigate and her doubts revolve around the Pastor who seems to be a man with a lot of power and influence.

I really liked this novel, where the investigation led by Hawa and the police in parallel is really very well constructed. The chapters are short and the suspense is present. The religious aspect is interesting and well written.

I was incredibly surprised by this huge community where everyone knows each other and helps each other. Being an expatriate myself, I must say that I know few people from my country of origin. Here, it is quite pleasant to see the links that are woven between all the characters.

I loved discovering Sierra Leone, and I was happy that a passage of the book takes place there. It's a country that I don't know at all, and which in the end is rarely talked about. For that alone, the book is worth reading for the change of scenery.

The search for a missing childhood playmate reveals a dark side to the happenings at an African church in Scotland, as Hawa begins a determined search to find her friend Othella, the second woman to have recently disappeared from the ethnic community to which she belongs.

In the telling of a story that ranges geographically from Scotland to distant Sierra Leone, the writer delivers a gripping tale with some very interesting cultural elements as well as the always fascinating exploration of how a shady religious setup can provide cover for other nefarious activities.

Overall, this is an intriguing read and worth checking out for those who enjoy stories with a multicultural aspect to them.