The Waylay: Wahala blends the grit of everyday Nigerian struggles with the high-stakes energy of an international thriller. It tells the story of an ordinary driver whose world is turned upside down when his daughter is kidnapped. Unknown to many, his past life as a U.S. military officer, deported after a tragic misunderstanding, becomes his greatest weapon in the fight to bring her home.
The novel thrives in its exploration of fatherhood, redemption, identity, and survival. Richard is deeply human yet extraordinary when forced to rise to the occasion. His unlikely friendship with Bueka gives him grounding, while the unfolding mysteries using his military skills and knowledge but certain twists, keep the tension alive. At several points (especially the scare with Bueka and Zara), I found myself genuinely anxious about what would happen next.
The setup is pure thriller energy: kidnappings, shootouts, betrayals, and redemption. But what really stood out for me were the smaller details:
• Mental health angle: I loved the subtle push against the stigma of mental health struggles. The book doesn’t hammer it, but it gently points it out in one conversation or two.
• Humor amidst chaos: Every time things got too tense, the author slid in some random funny piques. It’s very Nigerian, serious matter, but you still laugh.
• The Bueka + Zara scare: I genuinely thought they were dead in that one scene. My heart dropped. Glad the author spared us that tragedy.
• Friendship vibes: Richard finding a solid friend in Bueka was unexpectedly wholesome.
• Mr. Ajaka twist: Lowkey predictable, but still surprising.
• The ending with Ibrahim: Whew. Dramatic and somehow humorous at the same time. Honestly, I hope that’s not the real ending gangan, because after everything, that can’t be where it stops.
The book also deserves praise for its subtle hints at dismantling mental health stigma and finding oneself as towards the end there was some sort of spiritual awakening for Richard. Without being preachy, it nudges readers toward embracing emotional struggles as part of life. This, combined with the humor sprinkled throughout, prevents the story from feeling too heavy. The final showdown with Ibrahim is as dramatic as it is oddly humorous, though I sincerely hope that wasn’t the ending gangan, because after everything Richard endured, it feels like there must be more. That was just a cliffhanger, right?
However, I found a few areas that could be strengthened:
• Language and Clarity: The use of Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa without translations occasionally broke immersion. As a Yoruba speaker, I only caught the Yoruba dialogue, and I imagine Igbo and Hausa readers had a similar fragmented experience. Some translations or contextual cues would make the reading smoother for everyone.
• His wife: Her absence and leaving her in the dark also left a strange gap in the emotional current of the story. As readers, we carried her silence almost as much as Richard carried his mission. A few glimpses into her world, her fear, her grief, her resilience, would have added another powerful emotional layer to balance the gunfire and chaos.
But honestly? None of that ruined it for me. This is a page-turner. The action is cinematic, the characters have heart, and the mix of humor + heavy themes worked really well.
Have I mentioned how graphic and adrenaline-pumping the action scenes were? The fight choreography is especially vivid; you can almost hear the punches land and smell the gunpowder in the air. The chase sequences feel frantic and real, not just thrown in for spectacle.
For a first-time action reader, I feel greatly welcomed to the club.
Overall, The Waylay: Wahala is a gripping and heartfelt thriller that manages to balance suspense, social commentary, and humor. It is entertaining and thought-provoking, with strong cinematic potential. This one has got heart, grit, and laughs, and could easily cross from page to screen.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 stars)
Oluwatunmise Bankole
Oluwatunmise is a passionate reader and emerging reviewer of African literature, with a special interest in romance and tragedy and growing interest in thrillers that blend local realities with global themes. She enjoys unpacking the layered themes in contemporary Nigerian fiction, from humor and mental health to justice and identity.
