Two Times Murder (A Quiet Teacher Mystery)

by Adam Oyebanji

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Two Times Murder is a very well written murder mystery thriller with light espionage overtones and is the second novel by author Adam Oyebanji featuring mild mannered teacher of Russian Language (and sometimes French), Greg Abimbola. Due out 5th Nov 2024 from Severn House, it's 224 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

This is a very well constructed light espionage thriller mystery set in Pittsburgh. Titular main character Greg is a suave, very tightly controlled/guarded language teacher working in a private school who is far outside the normal run. He's a former Russian intelligence (GRU) officer who has "retired" to Pittsburgh, he's of English and Russian extraction, and he's black. 

Trying to avoid the agents sent after him from Russia and keep his lifestyle and job, of which he's become very fond, as well as staying on the right side of local law enforcement, is proving quite challenging. 

The author writes intelligently and the characters are very well rendered, believable, and three dimensional. Mr. Abimbola is a sympathetic character and readers will relate to him. There are a number of characters in the book, and his building of a tenuous team, with custodian Andrea (from book 1), as well as Sgt Rachel Lev, a local investigator and reluctant collaborator, make the cohesive whole a pleasure to read. Pittsburgh itself plays a large part in the story and it's a palpable (welcome) presence throughout. Readers with familiarity with the city will find themselves transported; the author clearly knows his way around. 

Although not derivative at all, fans of Le Carré will likely enjoy this modern take on a retired spy trying to forge a life outside "the Business". It's the second book in the series, but works fine as a standalone (with the understanding that the denouement and resolution from book 1 are discussed here, so expect spoilers if read out of order). There are a few moderately graphic instances of violence and torture; not extremely graphic or egregious, but they are there.

Four stars. It would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home use, or would make a nice 2 book binge/buddy read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.