I was hyped about this book because Miracle has been a writer I've known since her days on Wattpad, and to see her book out here with all the hype was alleviating. I like that more African authors are starting to write in other genres aside from literary fiction. It is refreshing to, once in a while, read genre fiction and escape from all the serious stuff that is sometimes literary fiction.
A strong hook
Did What Happened to Janet Uzor give me the hook I was after? Well, no, and my reason is personal. I have grown to develop this 'thing' against the first chapters of books that open with someone waking up from sleep. Apart from that, everything else after that just falls into place. I mean, I read past the first chapter to the last. That should mean something!
Through setting, the author succeeds in establishing an unsettling, apprehensive mood to reinforce the fear of an unknown killer lurking in the shadows—especially as we near those last few chapters.
A character determined to solve the crime is at the heart of every mystery. I will give it to Ebere. The girl was determined! Want my opinion? The lads didn't need the police or whoever. They solved everything on their own.
Yes! There wasn't just one or two, but several. I mean, we even "coincidentally" unearth the hidden crimes of the Principal of Afobiri Sec.
I think the pace was okay-ish. Not too slow, not too fast... Just enough information is given at the right time. And as I said in my pre-review video (is that a thing? 🤔😅), I don't find What Happened to Janet Uzor very hair-raising thrilling, but it has ENOUGH suspense to get you flipping.
I mean, it is a mystery book. We always expect the unexpected, but you are not ready for this unexpected. I thought I could have guessed the killer at some point, but the author did a good job of making it impossible to. If you ask me, that is the book's major selling point.
I never thought [he] could do that. And all for what? Love? If this is what true love is, then I want no part of it. Abeg, don't come and kill me in the name of love. 😅😆
A good mystery tosses the reader off track, and What Happened to Janet Uzor does just that.
Bonus?
The characters are three-dimensional. They feel relatable.
There is enough drama and tension between the friends at some point to keep our sugar levels normal. We love good vawulence. 😅
M.E.N has made a good entry into the world of Nigerian fiction, and I know she is here to stay! I can't wait to read what she comes up with next. Please, don't keep us waiting. 🖤
