Marylyn Zhasa is a psychology student studying at the Saro Wiwa University. She has a family who loves her and is an excellent student. What could possibly go wrong? Enters, Daniel Kazeh, popularly called D-Man, (pronounced to rhyme with Demon) who wants to befriend her by all means. Then things start to happen really fast.
Lie to Me Dan is a very easy read which I enjoyed. The book focuses on quite a number of things that makes it recommendable.
First on the list is the near-perfect depiction of a Nigerian university environment. Wetten does a lot of justice to this part of the book as he paints a vivid picture of the working of a typical university that is very relatable. I like the way he infuses Pidgin English and slang in his book, which makes it a more interesting read.
Also, he focuses on a very big cankerworm that has eaten deep into the fabric of many Nigerian higher institutions, which is cultism. In Lie to Me, Dan, we encounter Nelson, a cultist who is greatly feared on campus and is annoyingly overprotective of his diva girlfriend, Yvonne.
Lovers of Dan Brown will find the use of codes, puzzles and cryptic messages used in the book, quite fascinating. I particularly found the part where Professor Zhasa, Maryln’s father asks someone to pick her up, captivating. She asks, “What time is it? “, to which the man answers, “the time is now”. That’s a very effective technique to prevent kidnapping, if you ask me.
My review will not be complete if I don’t talk about Professor Zhasa. He is not a perfect parent but he’s a competent one, who doesn’t make rash decisions. The way he cares about his daughter, consider her feelings and allows her live is heartwarming.
Finally, lie to Me, Dan is an easy and pleasant read. If you’re not bothered about the trope of university life and almost-too-detailed descriptions, I totally recommend this book.
Many thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Dhebbie Otuagomah is a content creator and a book critic. She studies Law at the University of Benin. She also takes photographs and can play the guitar. You can read her writings at www.thatgirldorian.wordpress.com
Longrin Wetten is a network engineer by day and a storyteller all the time.
He is a founding member of Penthusia, an elite group of modern day writing/storytelling enthusiasts; and Penthusia Media Ltd, the business arm of Penthusia. Lie to Me, Dan is his first novel.
