BOOK REVIEW: Daredevils of the Harbour City 

TITLE:      Daredevils of the Harbour City 

ATHOUR :E.K.M. Yuori

Reviewer: Peter Martey Agbeko

E.K.M. Yuori’s debut novel, Daredevils of The Harbour City, is an electrifying addition to contemporary African fiction, standing tall among the best works on the global market. Yuori, a seasoned advertising professional and a traditional ruler, showcases his multifaceted talents in this gripping thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

The novel is set in the bustling twin cities of Accra, Tema, and Ashaiman and follows Zhuma, a man deeply passionate about his work in Ghana’s unpredictable creative industry. His life takes a terrifying turn one fateful night when he becomes entangled with a gang of four armed youths led by the sinister White Gloves. The harrowing events that unfold between 8:30 p.m. and 5:35 a.m. form the core of this story, drawing in Zhuma’s wife and close friends into a nightmare that leaves readers questioning whether Zhuma will survive the ordeal.

Yuori’s narrative is fast-paced and vividly detailed, painting a picture that fully immerses the reader in the story. His use of language is both colourful and powerful, making it easy to visualise the terror and suspense that Zhuma experiences. The novel’s structure, with its 28 chapters spread across 220 pages, is carefully crafted to build tension and keep readers hooked. The narrative is easy to follow, with descriptive and engaging language throughout.

What makes Daredevils of The Harbour City truly remarkable is how Yuori draws on his extensive experience in the advertising industry to ground his fiction in reality. The situations and characters feel so authentic that one might forget it’s a work of fiction—only to be reminded by the author’s caveat that any resemblance to real persons is purely coincidental. This blending of reality and fiction enhances the novel’s impact, making it a memorable read.

The book has garnered praise from various notable figures. Hon. Fritz Baffour, a former Member of Parliament and media personality, notes how the novel subtly critiques Ghana’s police force, often accused of colluding with criminals. Professor Damasus Tuurosong highlights the novel’s compelling crime fiction narrative, while Mawuli Adzei, an award-winning author, lauds Yuori’s vivid descriptions and strong dialogue. These endorsements underscore the novel’s significance and its ability to resonate with readers across different backgrounds.

The novel showcases an exceptional flair for vivid character descriptions, allowing readers to effortlessly visualise the various actions and scenes. The author succeeds in pulling the reader into the story with a narrative that is both engaging and evocative.

Here are a few of my favourite paragraphs:

“And as they drove homeward with Zhuma at the wheel, touching each other in sinfully intimate places, Zhuma had a burning, smoldering awareness of what was about to happen.”

“Since they were both married, Zhuma, long after it happened, continued to wonder, with the wisdom of hindsight, why they could not have been more sensible and stopped the slide before it turned into a spin. And what a giddy spin it turned out to be!”

“Talk about being well and truly trapped with pants down in the most literal sense.”

Yuori skilfully uses the characters of Pogdaa, Biliguo, and Moses to portray how various relatives, real or imagined, try to impose themselves on their kin living in the city. For instance, when Moses stayed overnight, Zhuma was impressed because he came with a business plan rather than seeking favours. This portrays Zhuma as a level-headed gentleman, willing to help relatives who are serious and organised in their approach to life.

On page 46, Yuori writes: “Cousin Moses’s only blot, however, was that he had been caught the following morning in the washroom, vigorously brushing his bleeding teeth by the sink … with one of several available toothbrushes. The choice toothbrush, unfortunately, belonged to Madam Mayflower herself! And it was she who had walked into the nauseating spectacle in the washroom and almost threw up.”

The author masterfully builds and maintains suspense, leaving the reader in constant anticipation of whether Zhuma’s kidnappers are connected to him in some way or if his predicament is merely by chance. This keeps the reader guessing and in perpetual suspense.

As a first-time novelist, Yuori has made a brilliant effort that rivals the works of established authors. His ability to create a story that is both thrilling and thought-provoking is a testament to his skill as a storyteller. Daredevils of The Harbour City is not just a great read; it is a significant contribution to African literature, signalling the arrival of a new voice with much more to offer.

Critique and Recommendations

The story is set against the vibrant backdrop of the twin cities of Accra, Tema, and Ashaiman in Ghana, providing a rich cultural context for the narrative. Given this setting, one might expect a stronger presence of local names among the characters to enhance the story’s authenticity. While names like Zhuma, Maame Esi, and Kpameya Koku are a refreshing nod to local culture, many other characters bear foreign names such as Angela, Sandra, Agartha, and Mayflower.

The inclusion of local names like Maame Esi and Kpameya Koku was particularly refreshing, offering readers a deeper connection to the Ghanaian setting. The blend of local and foreign names does have its merits, aligning with a global storytelling approach that can appeal to a wide audience. However, for a story deeply rooted in the Ghanaian context, a stronger emphasis on local names could enhance the cultural immersion for readers.

I recommend that the author consider writing a sequel to this novel. In future instalments, gradually introducing more characters with local names would better reflect the reality of the setting. Fiction enriched with cultural context and mirroring the real world can be a powerful draw for readers, making the story even more engaging and relatable.

Conclusion

E.K.M. Yuori’s Daredevils of The Harbour City is a must-read for anyone who enjoys high-stakes thrillers and masterfully crafted narratives. This is a book that will keep you thinking long after you’ve turned the last page, and it firmly places Yuori on the map as an author to watch in the years to come.

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