Thank you Netgalley and Quercus for sending this novel where we meet Hawa, originally from Sierra Leone who now lives in Scotland. Her life is organized between her studies, her friends, her work and visits to the church: Lion Mountain Church. When several young girls, all members of this church disappear, Hawa begins to investigate and her doubts revolve around the Pastor who seems to be a man with a lot of power and influence.

I really liked this novel, where the investigation led by Hawa and the police in parallel is really very well constructed. The chapters are short and the suspense is present. The religious aspect is interesting and well written.

I was incredibly surprised by this huge community where everyone knows each other and helps each other. Being an expatriate myself, I must say that I know few people from my country of origin. Here, it is quite pleasant to see the links that are woven between all the characters.

I loved discovering Sierra Leone, and I was happy that a passage of the book takes place there. It's a country that I don't know at all, and which in the end is rarely talked about. For that alone, the book is worth reading for the change of scenery.

The search for a missing childhood playmate reveals a dark side to the happenings at an African church in Scotland, as Hawa begins a determined search to find her friend Othella, the second woman to have recently disappeared from the ethnic community to which she belongs.

In the telling of a story that ranges geographically from Scotland to distant Sierra Leone, the writer delivers a gripping tale with some very interesting cultural elements as well as the always fascinating exploration of how a shady religious setup can provide cover for other nefarious activities.

Overall, this is an intriguing read and worth checking out for those who enjoy stories with a multicultural aspect to them.