Intriguing Ladies... and the Plot

There is no gainsaying the fact that the creation and presence of attractive, even intriguing women add colour to the narratives of book of this ilk, whether it is a combination of mystery, suspense, adventure etc

Again, our African writers were probably influenced by such powerful books churned out in the western world.  To name just two examples, authors Mickey Spillane, and Peter Cheyney dotted their fiction with astonishingly attractive women who often turned out to be villains.

Hence it is no surprise to see intriguing women characters in works published by African writers. Victor Thorpe 's male sleuth, Paul Okoro meets so many interesting female characters in the books (including prostitutes) but his own wife, Aimee always stands out: very beautiful, elegant, well educated, charming, confident etc.

African Authors Ighavini, Agbo Areo, Sunday Adebomi, Louis Omotayo Johnson, etc weaved such ladies into their fiction too. Actually, this should be expected, and is quite natural. O. Bolaji, who created the Tebogo series of (detective) books also often has alluring women in the different adventures.

In Kalu Okpi's works, we are often introduced to such ladies too, with the author's direct, simple gripping  style. For example, in THE SMUGGLERS, a man brutally held hostage, Modu, regains consciousness in a sort of cabin and is somewhat stunned to see a lovely lady beside him. 

But the plot of such works in the books should probably be paramount. From the plot of a book, we can check the author's skill, progress, and eventual success - even after decades or centuries of publication.  Here for example, is a review of Victor Thorpe's novel, Stone of Vengeance (involving Paul Okoro) :

‘Author Victor Thorpe's plots (in his novels) are ingenious - and so it is here again in this adventure. Even the titular "stone" is an understatement, as the reference is actually to diamonds – diamonds that made certain unconscionable people rich beyond their dreams; though they would pay a heavy price for this many years later. 

‘The stones are "cursed" and later on bring horrific sickness, plagues and lingering death to those involved in the desecration and disappearance of them in the past, from the original sacred owners (far East; Burma). And in the case of a particular woman brave enough to wear one of such glittering treasures on her neck, said neck is brutally slit! 

‘This adventure involves reporter and investigator, Paul Okoro and his lovely wife (Aimee) again; and there is death, horror, mystery, intrigues again. We are introduced to certain characters whose greed and ruthlessness would result in their downfall - all hinged on the original theft of priceless stones. Ironically the man who actually stole the diamonds at inception is the one who suffers most - and his children later on swear, and do all they can to recover the "stones".

‘All this results in another brilliant story, with Thorpe's usual humour and the zest and never-say-die attitude of Okoro and wife. The police finally round up the miscreants one way or the other, until Mr Okoro triumphs – and is ready to enjoy his reward with his intrepid wife; "but not to buy diamonds (with the reward) for Ikoro's sake!".