Every Drop of Blood Is Red, Umar Turaki’s second novel published in the U.S., is a must-read hybrid literary fiction-thriller set in Jos, Nigeria.

Murmula Denge’s parents are dead, her father killed in Jos and her dying mother recently having convinced Murmula that she must avenge her father’s death and the theft of the land upon which he was building them a new home. Mother has left daughter with the murderer’s name: Dareng Pamson. Leaving her mother’s town where the two had moved after her father’s death, Murmula moves in with relatives in Jos and soon locates Pamson, showing up in the pouring rain at his home to tell him she has always wanted to learn to repair and build cars and pleading for a job in his car repair shop. Her odd tactic fails, at least initially.

Pamson’s personal and business life are struggling. As he tries to win over the pregnant wife nearly lost when he had an affair with another woman and to keep his business afloat with an apprentice, several poor errand boys, and no business savvy, Murmula revises her plan to get closer to Pamson, something she must do in order to exact revenge.

With secrets and plot twists galore, the story drew me in and held my interest as Turaki gradually raises hopes for the future while threatening doom, delves into his characters’ pasts and minds, tackles religious conflict and doubt, raises questions about the repercussions of guilt, and gifts readers with a story that is both on-the-edge-of-your-seat suspenseful and promising.

Thanks to NetGalley and Little A for an advance reader egalley of this entertaining and thought-provoking new novel by Umar Turaki. I will keep my eyes open for his future work.

**Features:**

- Character-focused story with complicated relationships
- Explores the tension between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria
- Problematic characters that are also relatable
- Set in Jos, Nigeria

**Summary:**

Murmula has arrived in Jos, Nigeria to deliver retribution to Dareng Pamson, the man responsible for her father’s disappearance. After being hired at his auto repair shop, Murmula immediately begins to pick apart the threads of Dareng’s life that have already started to unravel. After being caught cheating, Dareng has been trying to make amends with his wife, Rahela, as they await the birth of the child they thought they would never have. However, even as he tries to turn over a new leaf, Dareng remains an ambitious man with a troubling past. He would never suspect that his ruin would come from a young woman he has never met, and Murmula is out for blood.

**Thoughts:**

This is very much a book in two halves and I really enjoyed what it brought to the table. I was a little thrown off by the style of the first chapter, but thankfully the rest of the book does not follow the same format. The story bounces between Darengn and Murmula’s perspectives as Murmula quietly tries to ruin Dareng’s life. Dareng immediately gave me the icks, so I found myself strongly in Murmula’s corner at the start. However, Murmula has some questionable elements as well and I found it harder to fully support her as the story continued. The tension and the stakes continue to grow in satisfying ways as the story unfolds which makes this a hard book to put down once you get going.

This book has a major twist in the middle-later half that changes the course of the story and will probably be divisive for readers. It is clear from the beginning that something big is going to happen to these characters, but we are not sure what. While uncovering the mystery of who Murmula really is and what happened with Dareng to put her on this path is a big part of what drives the first half, the second half focuses on the aftermath of this somewhat sudden event. There is something that felt very real about this sudden change in direction and I kind of like having an interruption that is both compelling and shows these characters in a different light. However, this also means that neither half of the story feels fully ‘resolved’ and this might bother some readers.

Every Drop of Blood is Red by Umar Turaki

Murmula Denge, whose life we dissect in this tale written by Umar Turaki, has moved to Jos, Nigeria. She is escaping the torment of past trauma and has moved in with her aunt and uncle. Her parents, both deceased, have various degrees of impact on Murmula's life. The father dies under mysterious circumstances, and her mother, grief-stricken, has asked for the family's retribution on her deathbed. Murmula is provided with a name of interest and thus begins our story.

She must get close to her perceived enemy, but how? Under the guise of a woman seeking employment as a mechanic, Murmula approaches Dareng Pamson, the owner of the town automobile repair shop. Befriending Dareng's family bears fruit, and with their influence, Dareng reluctantly offers her a position as a receptionist. However, soon after her arrival, the lives of all involved are withering in the fog. Who is she? What are her motives?

Torn, shredded, and undecided. Perusing a valley of vile subject matter, I feel invested. Adultery and Islamophobia take center stage, providing a smattering of unsettling feelings. My heart rate is racing in anticipation. Then it happens! We have all been there—that fatal misstep by the author. I was anticipating clarity but ultimately found myself bewildered. Why? I was attending a Broadway play. Soon after the first intermission, I return to my seat. Wait! The cast seems changed, and in fact, to my amazement, the play is different. My feelings towards the execution in this novel have taken the same trajectory. While the characters in this book haven't changed, the reader will experience a game-breaking incident that will cause furled eyebrows.

In summary, this was a mixed bag. Initially, I was all on board, but then I looked at my ticket again and found I was going to the wrong destination. Panic ensues. All that said, this book may resonate with some readers. I look forward to giving this author another shot in the future with a more focused endeavor. I am giving this 3 out of 5 stars!

Many thanks to the Little A for the ARC through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion.

Every Drop of Blood Is Red by Umar Turaki was a very interesting story.
I enjoyed it and will be looking forward to reading more from this author.

Thank You NetGalley and Publisher for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

A dynamic and to be honest a bit confusing tale of revenge and family set in Nigeria. I liked the atmospherics and the plot is propulsive. Know that there'a a twist partway through that might make you question what you've assumed. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. No spoilers from me.

Every Drop of Blood is an unusual book, one that mixes genres in a way that it could appear to be two separate books. In the book's first part, the reader encounters a fairly typical story: a married man's extra marital affair was discovered by his wife, finally pregnant after many years of trying. Wracked by the various aspects of guilt associated with hurting two women who are important to him, he and his nephew, who is like a son to him, become entangled with a young woman, who we learn has wormed her way into their lives in order to carry out an act of revenge for the long-ago death of her father. And then suddenly the book takes a 90-degree turn and what had been a character driven "thriller" morphs into a philosophical tome. In the end, it is a book about relationships, family, and love. Every Drop of Blood is an intriguing, albeit sometimes difficult book. Readers who stick with it will be rewarded.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Umar Turaki’s “Every Drop of Blood Is Red” is a haunting and provocative novel that joins themes of revenge and redemption with the complexities of faith. Set in the vibrant yet tumultuous city of Jos, Nigeria, the story follows the intersecting lives of Dareng Pamson and Murmula Denge, two characters bound by a shared history of pain and betrayal.

Dareng, a Christian auto mechanic, is striving to rebuild his life and regain the trust of his pregnant wife after a past infidelity. His world is upended when Murmula, a young Muslim woman, arrives at his shop seeking work. Unbeknownst to Dareng, Murmula harbors a deep-seated vendetta against him, believing he is responsible for the destruction of her family.

Turaki’s narrative is rich with tension and moral complexity. The author deftly explores the psychological landscapes of his characters, making their internal struggles as compelling as the external conflicts. Murmula’s quest for vengeance is portrayed with a raw intensity that is unsettling yet deeply human. Her journey from seeking chaos to understanding the true cost of revenge is a powerful exploration of the human condition.

The setting of Jos, with its cultural and religious diversity, adds authenticity and depth to the story. Turaki’s vivid descriptions bring the city to life, capturing its beauty and its scars. The juxtaposition of Dareng’s and Murmula’s worlds highlights the broader societal tensions and the personal stakes involved in their confrontation.

Turaki maintains a relentless momentum, with each chapter peeling back layers of the characters’ pasts and motivations. The plot twists are expertly crafted, keeping readers on edge and constantly reevaluating our perception of the characters.

“Every Drop of Blood Is Red” a tale of revenge and a profound meditation on forgiveness, justice, and the possibility of reconciliation. Turaki’s prose is both lyrical and precise, making the emotional weight of the story resonate long after the final page.

“Every Drop of Blood Is Red” is a must-read for fans of literary fiction and psychological thrillers. Umar Turaki has crafted a novel that is as thought-provoking as it is gripping, with captivating characters. Whether you’re familiar with Turaki’s previous work or new to his writing, this book delivers a memorable experience.

This was a strong second book from Umar Turaki, I had enjoyed the first book a lot and this had that writing style that I enjoyed. It had that quest for revenge that I was looking for and thought the characters worked overall. The overall story worked well with the characters and I was glad I got to read this.

a book about the impact of family and friendships, challenged faith, revenge, closure in grief, love in its many forms, and reconciliation without redemption.

set in jos, nigeria, "every drop of blood is red" by umar turaki follows a young muslim woman named murmula as she sets off to avenge the death of her father. for the first half of the book, murmula is reckless and insane in her warpath, and i am kind of obsessed with the energy of a psychotic woman. but the damage she causes extends far out of her reach. pamson, the target of her wrath, is a wretched man with his own problems, as he seeks to further his mechanical business and get back into the good graces of his wife.

however, a little over halfway through the book, something unbelievable happens which alters the lives of these characters forever. to be honest, i was so taken aback by this major plot point that i genuinely had to stop reading and stare at the wall for a second. it seemed like it came fairly late in the story, and there was absolutely zero foreshadowing whatsoever. this is one of those times where "i didn't see it coming" isn't necessarily a good thing. yet upon reflection, i can understand how this major event lent something valuable to the overall plot and character development.

turaki's depth of character is astounding in this book, and the plot, although shocking and unexpected at times, is always intriguing. i read this book in one seven hour sitting, stopping only for snacks. and to be fair, although there were things i disliked about the book, i feel that these can all be chalked up to cultural differences in regards to storytelling and literature.

if you like murder mystery and complex characters, definitely pick this one up!