Search for Othella Savage

Regular price €17.50
Quantity:
In stock with our UK publisher. 14-28 days
Delivery/Collection within 10-20 working days
14 days return policy Shipping & Delivery
A01=Foday Mannah
African novel
amateur detective
Author_Foday Mannah
best cosy crime 2025
best debut 2025
Category=FBA
cosy crime
debut fiction 2025
Edinbugh
eq_bestseller
eq_fiction
eq_isMigrated=1
eq_isMigrated=2
eq_modern-contemporary
eq_new_release
eq_nobargain
female friendship
funny debut novel
reading group fiction
reading group novel
Scotland
Sierre Leone
summer read
summer read 2024

Product details

  • ISBN 9781529437072
  • Weight: 240g
  • Dimensions: 130 x 196mm
  • Publication Date: 09 Apr 2026
  • Publisher: Quercus Publishing
  • Publication City/Country: GB
  • Product Form: Paperback
Secure checkout Fast Shipping Easy returns

"A compelling and authentic mystery that explores faith, identity, corruption, and friendship with a deft touch. Foday's writing is vivid, thoughtful, and full of heart" Amen Alonge

When one of their own is found unconscious in the boot of her car, Scotland's Sierra Leonean community is cast into a state of shock. And the young woman's death a few days later sparks a murder investigation.


Though Hawa Barrie lives on the fringes of that community, which revolves around the Lion Mountain Church, the disappearance of a second woman - her childhood friend Othella Savage - draws her in.

But as the police investigation drags on, Hawa grows increasingly suspicious of the charismatic Pastor Ronald Ranka - and increasingly fearful for her friend, Othella. Desperate, she launches her own search, which will take her from Scotland to Sierra Leone and back again, revealing the true nature of Ranka's church whilst exposing dark secrets within the fabric of both countries she calls home.

A darkly compelling read inspired by a real incident, The Search for Othella Savage is an engaging and compulsive debut which examines the insidious nature of corruption - both religious and political - whilst also exploring the enduring power of friendship.

Born in London, Foday Mannah spent his formative years in Sierra Leone before returning to the United Kingdom. He currently lives in Scotland where he works as a teacher of English. His short story, Amie Samba, was shortlisted for the 2019 Bristol Short Story Prize, he has also had stories longlisted, shortlisted or highly commended for the Bridport, Sean O'Faolain, Mo Siewcharran, Brick Lane, Commonwealth, Morley, Bloody Scotland and Queen Mary Wasafiri writing competitions. His novel The Search for Othella Savage won the 2022 Mo Siewcharran Prize.

More from this author