Title: Five Brown Envelopes
Author: Lawrence Amaeshi
Year of Publication: 2021
Number of Pages: 273
Category: Fiction
Lawrence Amaeshi’s ‘Five Brown Envelopes’ hooks you from the very first glance—its cover radiating a mischievous energy, while the blurb hints at a whirlwind of trouble just waiting to unfold.
From the moment you open the book, you’re drawn into a world of suspense, uncertainty, and tension, leaving you perched on the edge of your seat, eager for more.
The book wastes no time diving into the heart of its story, opening with the harsh atmosphere of prison life. Through the protagonist’s vivid descriptions, the reader can almost feel the weight of the surroundings, a perfect setup for the harrowing journey that’s about to unfold. The author’s writing style pulls you in with its intensity and vivid imagery.
Set against the backdrop of Nigeria, the story quickly reveals that both the protagonist and his late father are trapped in a relentless cycle of trouble. The country’s turbulent realities, with their corruption, dangers, and high stakes, become an inescapable force that shapes the characters’ lives. This setting establishes a powerful tension, as the protagonist strives to break free from a web of trouble that seems to follow him at every step.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its pacing. Each chapter ends with such intensity that it leaves you craving more. The action unfolds rapidly, forcing you to keep turning pages, never allowing you a moment to relax. As you’re pulled deeper into the story, the protagonist’s confusion grows—who can he trust when everyone around him seems to have their own hidden agendas? Old wounds are reopened, long-buried secrets are revealed, and the web of lies and deceit grows ever more tangled.
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Despite the heavy themes, Amaeshi introduces moments of humor, providing a brief escape from the tension. But just when you think you can breathe, another unexpected twist resurfaces, throwing you back into the story’s gripping turmoil. It seems like there might be an illicit affair at play, but be warned—if you don’t stick with the book until the end, you might find yourself jumping to conclusions about the characters’ true motivations. The truth, as always, is more complicated than it initially appears.
The suspense continues to build, with several deaths throughout the story, leaving you questioning who could be behind it all. With every new development, the stakes grow higher, and the reader is left trying to piece together the puzzle, all while navigating a sea of trouble and danger.
There’s no denying that Amaeshi’s writing is vivid, almost to a fault. At times, the descriptions are so intense and graphic that it might put some readers off. It’s the kind of book where you might want to avoid eating while reading, as the detailed imagery can be a bit too much to stomach at certain moments.
But despite the occasional shock factor, the book’s ultimate message is one of triumph over adversity. As the chaos and turmoil reach their peak, joy and redemption finally break through, providing a satisfying conclusion to what has been a thrilling, if at times exhausting, ride.
Five Brown Envelopes is a unique and powerful read—one that is both informative and entertaining, though not without testing the reader’s patience. If you’re a fan of suspense, action, and deep, thought-provoking themes, this book is for you. Just be prepared for the twists and turns that will leave you second-guessing everything until the very last page.
About the reviewer
Titilade Oyemade is a business executive in a leading organisation and holds a degree in Russian Language. She’s the convener of the Hangoutwithtee Ladies Event and the Publisher of Hangoutwithtee magazine. She spends her weekends attending women conferences, events and book readings. She loves to have fun and to help other women have the same in their lives. Email: [email protected] Social: @tiipreeofficial
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