Rating: 4 Stars
Published: November 22, 2024
Pages: 236
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
I feel like I have been waiting for this author to write another book for ages as the last time I read a book by her was probably about 8 years ago and I was intrigued by it. So, when I saw that she had finally written a new book, you can imagine my excitement.
‘On a day like this’ is a story set in Lagos, Nigeria and follows a wealthy family with complex family dynamics like most. Two years prior, their dear mother and wife passed away in a ghastly car accident that devastated her husband and children, now as they all try to move on with their lives in both conventional and unconventional ways, Kara, the first child and daughter receives a text message informing her that her mother’s death was not an accident but was a murder. This message triggers a series of events that reveal much more than is expected throwing several suspects into the mix. In the end, we are left with a shocking revelation that hits like an unexpected slap on the face.
As I had hoped, I enjoyed reading this story. Although, I didn’t feel particularly drawn to any of the characters as I found them mostly unlikeable, the different POVs from each of the main characters brought a lot of nuance and clarity to the story. Unlike other books written in this style, it didn’t feel disjointed but helped put the plot together. Most importantly, I love a mystery story that keeps you guessing till the end and then ends with a revelation you didn’t expect. This, the author did so well, and I wouldn’t forget this story in a hurry. This book should have been a 5-star read but I felt that there were some loose ends that were left untied particularly around characters like Nonso, Tara’s fiancé and Vicky, her stepmother, to understand their motivations and complexities. Other than that, it was such a good read, and I would definitely be reading more books by the author in the future.
If you love mystery or thriller stories especially in a Nigerian setting, then you will love this book. I highly recommend.
The Author
Edify Yakusak is a writer, lawyer and business developer. Her first book, After They Left was published in 2016 to critical acclaim. She also has a collection of short stories titled The Curse of Happiness. On a Day Like This is her third book.
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