Lagos Noir

In the introduction to this excellent anthology, Abani welcomes readers to Lagos, Nigeria, a city of more than 21 million and an amazing amalgam of wealth, poverty, corruption, humor, bravery, and tragedy. Abani and a dozen other contributors tell stories that are both unique to Lagos and universal in their humanity. An ambitious and observant policeman investigates the murder of a white woman, one of a series of crimes, in Jude Dibia’s “What They Did That Night.” A taxi driver’s newfound riches disappear quickly in Chika Unigwe’s “Heaven’s Gate.” A Bunyanesque hero stars in Nnedi Okorafor’s amusing “Showlogo.” A father bullies his rebellious daughter in Sarah Ladipo Manyika’s “The Swimming Pool.” A childless husband and wife pin their hopes on a powerful pastor in Onyinye Ihezukwu’s “For Baby, for Three.” Abani closes the volume with the witty “Killer Ape,” about Det. Sgt. James Okoro, who idolizes Sherlock Holmes and welcomes the chance to solve a crime supposedly committed by a chimpanzee. This entry stands as one of the strongest recent additions to Akashic’s popular noir series. (June)