Blurb: THE ORCHID PROTOCOL BY ONOCHIE ONYEKWENA


DCT agent Patrick Emenalo returns to work on the same day there is a bombing at a popular fast food joint in Lagos. Dark Cell, a terrorist group,
claims responsibility and demands the release of Red Baron, arms smuggler and crime boss.  Patrick, caught in a game whose rules are set by a shadowy crime syndicate, The Orchid, must race against time to stop the terrorists before they strike again. 
Patrick, caught in a game whose rules are set by a shadowy crime syndicate, The Orchid, must race against time to stop the terrorists before they strike again.
Fast-paced and seamlessly written, Onyekwena’s debut takes bold steps into the widely uncharted world of organized crime in Lagos
The orchid protocol onochie onyekwena
MY SUMMARY

 The Orchid Protocol is set in modern-day Lagos (well not really modern-day since its set in 2025).  Here, we meet Patrick Emenalo; a DCT agent who returns to work after an injury at the advent of a terrorist bombing. Things take a downward spiral when a notorious terrorist group claims responsibility for the attack and also demands the release of an inmate, The Red Baron; an arms dealer and brutal crime boss. Chaos ensues and Agent Patrick and his team are left scrambling against time to put an end to the terrorists’ games.

MY VERDICT

Hmmm! I decided to veer off into another genre of books; Nigerian Crime Fiction not quite what I’m used to. It was a bit of a struggle for me, as a result, it took me about a month to finish it. I know what you’re thinking a month is not that bad. It is for me considering that the book in question is 217 pages long and about the size of my palm. I usually read 200 pages in max. a day or two…..just saying!!

I do think the underlying problem here is that I’m not so big on reading about action, guns, and blood. Most of the parts where he was describing the fight scenes, battle tactics and guns the characters were interacting with; just went over my head. I couldn’t picture or envision it and that was where most of my frustration stemmed from.

Another problem I had was with the characters, it was hard to relate with them, this again was probably my fault because I was so stuck on the stereotypical idea of what a Nigerian Police Officer looks like and their attitude to work. That was likely what ruined this book for me.

On a more positive note, I actually did like the author’s portrayal of the female characters. They were just as strong and efficient as their male counterparts. Lily was a genuine badass and it was so refreshing to see/read.

I haven’t given up on this Genre though and I’m open to book referrals. So please drop your comments and turn me into a true believer

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