So Anyway,
I Replied to the Nigerian Prince (Independently published, 2026) by Irish
author Mark Dowling is a light-hearted thriller with a serious streak set in
Dublin. I am not sure how it came my way but I am delighted that it did.
Liam
O’Sullivan is desperate. He lost his job with an internet supplier and can’t
find another one. He’s out of cash and behind on his rent. Even tiny rundown apartments
above a kebab shop require a regular cash outlay. Then there’s the debt he owes
the local moneylender Fingers, who is losing patience. So when the email from
Prince Amokachi of the Royal House of Benin arrives, offering him 10 million
pounds for his assistance, Liam responds by saying he only needs 10 thousand
pounds and the prince can give the rest to someone else. He resists adding a
couple of sarcastic emojis and hits the Send key.
Almost two
weeks later an invitation to meet the prince at the best hotel in Dublin arrives.
His similarly down-and-out friends Kevin, Spud, Darren, and Gerry insist on
accompanying him to serve as protection. Prince Amokachi appears in person and explains
that his late father left the bulk of his money in a London account that is
being contested by a cousin. His father’s will requires the signature of a
third party, completely unbiased, to release the funds to the older son, and
the prince is asking Liam to serve as that independent signatory.
The transfer
will take place in London, and the transaction has a deadline. If the prince
does not meet the deadline, he forfeits the money. The cousin has a vested
interest in seeing that the prince does not appear in court at the appointed
time and his thugs are actively searching for the prince. Liam and his friends
undertake to hide the prince until they can fly to London.
An original
and funny premise with some spot-on characterization. The lack of employment
and career options for those without the means or interest to attend university
comes through clearly. Dowling plainly shows there is no future for these folks
without a Nigerian prince or a fairy godmother. Dowling unfortunately did not
maximize the suspense potential of the plot but he has a great eye for the
ridiculous and knows how these characters think. Possibly the happiest book I
have read all year.
- ASIN: B0H3KHB7K9
- Publisher: Independently published
- Publication date: May 31, 2026
- Language: English
- Print length: 149 pages
- ISBN-13: 979-8255367627
Amazon
Associate Purchase Link: https://link.amazon/B05xnflJ4
Aubrey Nye
Hamilton ©2026
Aubrey Hamilton
is a former librarian who works on Federal It projects by day and reads
mysteries at night.
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