In a gritty, postcolonial West African city under French rule, down-on-his-luck private investigator Boubacar is drawn into a dangerous mystery when a bleeding woman appears at his door and later turns up dead, floating inexplicably in midair. As he unravels the case, he navigates political unrest, the complexities of his mixed heritage, and the lingering wounds of colonialism, all within a noir narrative laced with subtle magical elements.

Reader Review Summary

Set in a postcolonial West African city under French occupation, the novel follows Boubacar, a down-on-his-luck private investigator and war veteran of mixed heritage, as he becomes embroiled in a complex mystery. The story begins when a bleeding woman appears at Bouba’s door, begs for his help, and then vanishes, only to be found dead and floating in midair. This event draws Bouba into a web of political intrigue, violence, and unrest, with the city on the brink of upheaval as elections approach and tensions simmer between the French occupiers and the indigenous dugulen. The narrative blends hardboiled noir with elements of fantasy and magical realism, using the Harmattan—a dry, dust-laden wind—as both a literal and metaphorical force representing colonial oppression. The book is written in the first person, immersing readers in Bouba’s perspective as he navigates a world marked by corruption, divided loyalties, and the lingering trauma of war.

Readers praised the novel’s atmospheric worldbuilding, noting the vivid depiction of a gritty, dust-choked city and the integration of West African culture, history, and language. The hardboiled noir style, with its dry humor and introspective narration, was highlighted as a strong point, as was the exploration of colonialism, identity, and the psychological toll of living between two worlds. Many found Bouba’s character compelling, appreciating his moral complexity, internal struggles, and the way his mixed heritage shaped his interactions with both the French and the dugulen. The plot’s slow-burn mystery, political intrigue, and the inclusion of magical or supernatural elements were also cited as engaging, with several reviewers specifically commending the audiobook narration by Dion Graham for enhancing the immersive quality of the story.

Some readers struggled with the book’s narrative style and pacing, describing the story as slow, difficult to follow, or emotionally distant. The use of unexplained terms, invented language, and minimal exposition left some feeling confused or disconnected, particularly regarding the world’s factions and magical elements. A number of reviewers found it challenging to empathize with the protagonist or to keep track of dialogue during long conversations. The audiobook narration, while praised by some, was criticized by others for being hard to understand due to accent choices, which occasionally interfered with comprehension. A few readers did not find the mystery or characters sufficiently engaging and noted that the book’s brevity left certain aspects underdeveloped.

The novel is relatively short, with a page count around 200, and is described as both a standalone work and a blend of genres, including fantasy, mystery, crime, and magical realism. The setting is an unnamed West African country, and the story incorporates both real and invented cultural references, sometimes prompting readers to research historical and linguistic context. The book’s structure and ending were noted for their circularity and emotional impact, with some readers expressing a desire to reread it for deeper understanding. The publisher released the book without DRM, and the work has received a moderate average rating from early readers, with a mix of both highly positive and more critical responses.