Gilbert Bassey’s A Decent Man, is a contemporary Nigerian novel of love and hate, secrets, revenge, grief and battles of the mind.

Michael, the protagonist of the novel, is haunted by his past, and the hunter is his wife, Rebecca, who is trying to fulfil the promise she makes to her mother at a tender age, after the costly mistake a teenage Michael makes that changes the life of her family forever.

I like how different and how much of a breath of fresh air the novel is from my regular reads. I am introduced to a cold man, who looks no different from every other, rich cold character waiting for a particular woman to thaw his heart. But this isn't exactly the case with Michael. His coldness starts as a teenager who quickly understands money and power.

Unlike the popular storylines of where the cold guy meets the one and becomes soft and good to everyone, there is no change with Michael, he remains self-centered. His softness is only directed to his wife, Amaka, and his mother. Apart from these three persons he remains cruel to others— customers and colleagues alike.

Rebecca is also remarkable as a character. She plays her role as a wife so well, that Michael suspects nothing of the danger she represents.

Another likeable trait of the book is the playful banter between the couple. It doesn't feel forced, coming from a cold man and a vengeful woman; it flows easily.

But, the plot would have been better developed if we were told how Rebecca tracks Michael from Benin to Abuja, because when the tragedy happens, Rebecca never sees his face, knows his name, and is younger.

She also holds no resentment towards her father after the part he plays is revealed. For a woman who carries so much bitterness, anger, and taste for blood, it is too quick and easy to forgive her father. No grief, brokenness, denial or rejection of him, no matter how short-lived it might have been.

The author's continuous explanation of ironic situations is disturbing. After seeing the explanation of irony appear a number of times, I start expecting it in some scenes.

It is also a bit tiring seeing almost all the characters having a composed trait running through them. Lydia, Amaka, and even Oruamen’s mother: “...a mask of hatred splitting open the composed facade she typically maintained for his benefit.” ( Page 178)

Overall, A Decent Man is an enjoyable read. I like the pacing, how philosophical the last pages are, the simple world-building, and, mostly especially how my expectations for the end are cut short because I turn soft.

If you would like a different read from your usual, with family drama and deep search of the heart, I recommend this novel for you. I rate it four stars.