Aubrey Nye Hamilton Reviews: So Anyway, I Replied to the Nigerian Prince by Mark Dowling

 

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.

Saturday Evening Funny Seen on Facebook

 

Lesa's Book Critiques: A Very Maui Christmas by Carlene O’Connor

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KRL Update

Up on KRL this week a review and giveaway of "Miss Walcott's Ghost" by Louise Penny https://kingsriverlife.com/10/31/miss-wolcotts-ghost-by-louise-penny/

And a review and giveaway of "Bone Hash" by Skye Griffith https://kingsriverlife.com/10/31/bone-hash-by-skye-griffith/

For those who enjoy romantasy, this week we have a perfect book for Halloween season featuring a grim reaper, a review and giveaway of "Love You to Death" by Jenna Levine https://kingsriverlife.com/10/31/love-you-to-death-by-jenna-levine/

We also have an interesting article about The Legend of La Lechuza by Sarah Peterson-Camacho, perfect for your Halloween reading https://kingsriverlife.com/10/31/beware-the-witchs-owl-the-legend-of-la-lechuza/

And a Day of the Dead short story by Pamela Ebel https://kingsriverlife.com/10/31/day-of-the-dead-short-story-the-thrill-is-gone/

For those who prefer to listen to Mysteryrat's Maze Podcast directly on KRL, you can find the player for the latest episode here! It features the mystery short story "Pepper Reece and the Ghost of Arthur Goodwin" written by Leslie Budewitz and read by local actor Cady Mejias https://kingsriverlife.com/10/31/mysteryrats-maze-podcast-pepper-reece-and-the-ghost-of-arthur-goodwin/

Up during the week, we posted a spooky short story for Halloween written by Sharon Hunt https://kingsriverlife.com/10/27/a-halloween-ghost-short-story-the-woman-in-white/

And another spooky short story for Halloween, this one by author Debra Bliss Saenger https://kingsriverlife.com/10/28/halloween-short-story-knocking-on-a-heathens-door/

Up on KRL News and Reviews this week we have a review and giveaway of one more mystery involving Halloween before the season ends--a review and ebook giveaway of "Spirits of the Law" by Elle Jauffret https://www.krlnews.com/2026/10/spirits-of-law-by-elle-jauffret.html

And for those who enjoy fantasy and dragons, a review and giveaway of "The Dragon Within" by Marty Sommers https://www.krlnews.com/2026/10/the-dragon-within-by-marty-sommers.html

Happy Halloween,

Lorie 

SleuthSayers: The Bouchercon Anthologies

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Scott's Take: Scion by James Islington

Scion by James Islington is his first foray into science fiction. It also appears to be his first published story told from one character’s perspective.

 

Azure is an assassin in some far-off future time on Earth. Humanity has found a way to make some people live forever. Those people are “Lifers.” With limited resources and most people struggling, society has decided that Lifers can legally be murdered. Azure works for the Keres corporation who plays both sides of the game. The assassination part and the protection part. Azure is forced by his corporate masters to go protect a new client that has specifically hired him for a protection detail. Of course, there is a lot more going on in.

 

This is an action-packed thriller that is relatively on the short side. It does not include a glossary of science fiction terms for its world so readers might be confused. I also did not appreciate the ambiguous ending.

 

Despite those flaws, I really enjoyed this read. This was a fun read that is very different from his previously published work that is fantasy driven and also good. In this case, I hope he does science fiction again as I enjoyed this a lot.

 

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4xPNxC1 

 

I read this by way of the Libby/Overdrive app through the Dallas Public Library System.

 

Scott A. Tipple © 2026

Lesa's Book Critiques: by Elle Cosimano & Hannah Morrissey

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Don't Need A Diagram: Erin Carlson, “No Crying in Baseball”

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In Reference to Murder: Friday's "Forgotten" Books - Morse's Greatest Mystery

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Patricia Abbott: FFB

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Lesa's Book Critiques: What Are You Reading?

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Don't Need A Diagram: Barton Gellman, “Dark Mirror”

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Beneath the Stains of Time: This Time Forever (1957) by John Glasby

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In Reference to Murder: Mystery Melange - Halloween Edition

In Reference to Murder: Mystery Melange - Halloween Edition: The deadline is fast approaching to apply for the Barbara Nelly Award from the Mystery Writers of America. Established in 2021, the grants, ...

Annual Cardiologist Appt

Was today with more than an hour trip each way. I am okay, per the doc, and relatively stable. 

Leaving the house and going anywhere is getting harder and harder. Am very worn out and in a lot of pain. 

Will try to resume normal operations tomorrow. 

Thursday Treats: 10/29/2026

Some reading opportunities of interest this week.

 

Black Cat Weekly #269 is out and the focus is primarily on Halloween through short stories and more. SMFS list member Debra H. Goldstein’s short story, “Dating, Dining, and Dying” is the featured tale. You can pick up the penultimate issue at the website.

 

SMFS list member Gary Phillips announced that he was one of a several authors who were asked to “… adapt a horror short story by Joe R. Lansdale for the comics medium in this tradepaper collection from Vibrant Graphic Arts. My effort is called “Chompers.” You can pick up Joe R. Lansdale’s Tales of the Razor here.

 

Out now is BAM! Stories With A Punch Magazine -Autumn 2026. Edited by Jeffrey R. DeRego, the read contains short stories by several authors. You can pick it up in print or digital formats at LuLu.

 

Janet Rudolph announced earlier this week that Mystery Readers Journal: Cross-Genre Mysteries is now available for purchase. SMFS list members Kaye George (My Ghost Mystery) and donalee Moulton (Trials and Tribulations of Researching Life -- and Death -- in 1734) publicly announced on the list their presence in the read. Lots of other familiar names contributed pieces to the read. Learn more at the website.

 

Released at Bouchercon, the new anthology, The Lines We Cross: Stories of Crime and Mystery is now available for purchase. SMFS list member John M. Floyd’s short story, Garden Path, is included. When he publicly announced his success on the list, he shared the fact that this is his seventh appearance in a Bouchercon anthology. Published by Level Best Books, the read of 23 stories which includes other SMFS list members who did not announce their success on the list as well as other authors is available at Amazon and other vendors.

 

 

Out tomorrow is the new anthology, The Power of 13.  Authored by members of The Mesdames of Mayhem, a Canadian mystery writing collective, and published by Carrick Publishing, the read of 21 stories celebrates their 13th anniversary. The SMFS list members that have announced their presence in the read via the SMFS list are: J.E. (Jayne) Barnard (13 the Hard Way), M. H. Callway (Amdur's Mouse), Melodie Campbell (An Unlucky Stiff), Therese Greenwood (A Hard Ticket), Madona Skaff (Lennie and the 13), Hope Thompson (The Anniversary), Sylvia Maultash Warsh (Catalina and Mr.  the King of the Fishes), and Melissa "Yi" Yuan-Innes (Flamingo Flamenco). It is available for preorder at Amazon and other vendors.

 

Coming on November 3^rd from Murderous Ink Press is the anthology, Crimeucopia - Objection! Overruled!! SMFS list members in the read are John M. Floyd (Nothing but the Truth), and Wil A. Emerson (Three Strikes—You’re Out). The read is available for preorder at Amazon and other vendors.

 

Now out, A Fatal Affair: The Murder of Helen Grier by Amanda Capper and Judy Penz Sheluk, was released by Superior Shores Press. This is a true crime read on the case of the death of Helen Grier. Was it murder or something else? You can get it in eBook and print formats at Amazon and other vendors.

 

Author Maryann Miller announced on Twitter that her new book, Second Chances And Other Stories, is now available for preorder. Published by MCM Enterprises, the read is about characters experiencing life in many different ways. Scheduled to be published on November 24rth, when it will also be available on KindleUnlimited, the read can be purchased now on Amazon.  

One more thing, Santa Rage II is coming soon. I have seen the cover and it is so very cool. Once the preorder deal is up and can be shared, I will have a lot more to say. I am very appreciative of Jay Hartman for all he has done to make this project happen. I am also very appreciative of the authors who entrusted me with their tales. 

 

 

Until  next time… 

 

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2026

And a final plea to vote. I am not telling you whom to vote for. Though, if you follow me on social media, you have a very good idea how I feel about things. I am asking you to vote and not sit out this election.  Voting matters. It is the only way to try and bring about a better world. Not only for ourselves, but for our kids and grandkids.