Book cover of The Lagos Wife

Book description

'I was hooked right through to the shocking end' BERNARDINE EVARISTO

'An excellent read' GUARDIAN

'Beautifully written, immersive, thought-provoking' MARIAN KEYES

'Obsessed' KERRY WASHINGTON

'A shimmering success' DIANA EVANS

THE PERFECT WIFE. THE PERFECT MURDER.

Nicole Oruwari has the perfect life: a handsome husband, a palatial house in the heart…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

2 authors picked The Lagos Wife as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

An exploration of Lagos' complex biodome from a British, Brooklyn-based author?

This is a dream come true for me, as a creative writer who spent years in Brooklyn and grew up in West African culture—one that I consider my strongest affiliation, even before my native Brazilian heritage.

It is the story of a London girl who settled in Lagos with her husband. Suddenly, she disappears.

When the investigation hits a dead end, her aunt flies to Nigeria in search of answers.

It’s a complex whodunnit that swerves across timelines as it explores the ins and outs…

I love thrillers set in foreign locations that give me a glimpse into other cultures, along with a big dose of mystery and intrigue. This book delivers on all fronts.

I could not put this book down. Set in Lagos, Nigeria, I loved the dual points of view of Nicole, the missing British wife of a wealthy Nigerian businessman, and her estranged aunt Claudine, who arrives from London to look for her. The sense of dread, helplessness, and desperation both women experience throughout the book is palpable and devastating, making both characters relatable and well-developed. 

This book deftly explores the…

If you love The Lagos Wife...

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

Want books like The Lagos Wife?

Our community of 13,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Lagos Wife.

Browse books like The Lagos Wife

Book cover of Speaking of Summer
Book cover of Say Her Name
Book cover of Monday's Not Coming

Share your top 3 reads of 2026!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

179

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like The Lagos Wife, you might also like...

Book cover of Sexy Selfie Nation: Standing Up for Yourself in Today's Toxic, Sexist Culture

Sexy Selfie Nation by Leora Tanenbaum,

The problem is not with the actions young women take but with the toxic, sexist conditions they are responding to.

Tanenbaum found, based on six years of interviews with young people ages 14-30, that young women are navigating a culture littered with gendered dress codes, revenge porn, and sexually explicit…

Book cover of In This Together: Connecting with Your Community to Combat the Climate Crisis

In This Together by Marianne E. Krasny,

In This Together explores how we can harness our social networks to make a real impact fighting the climate crisis. Against notions of the lone environmental crusader, Marianne E. Krasny shows us the power of "network climate action"—the idea that our own ordinary acts can influence and inspire those close…

5 book lists we think you will like!