A certain generation of
African readers will always remember the "Pacesetters" series with
some fondness; especially outstanding authors like Kalu Okpi, Helen Ovbiagheli,
and of course Victor Thorpe.
Victor Thorpe was born in the Riverine area of
Nigeria in 1919. He would see action during the World War 11, and thereafter become
a leading Librarian and bibliophile. And write.
Thorpe's books, novels,
are all exciting, with excellent plots and themes. Thorpe always had an
interest in the supernatural "esoteric", which comes to the fore in
his books - as we read about gigantic snakes that can not be harmed in any way
by sharp knives, cudgels or machetes; or about specially gifted ones who
suddenly disappear, or even levitate.
Here are two reviews of
two of Thorpe's works:
The
Worshippers
Remarkable female
twins, with distinct esoteric talents and powers, definitely telepathic and
clairvoyant...gruesome killings across the land...fear and foreboding all
over... These are ingredients of Victor Thorpe's first novel where he
introduces the very funny, brave and intelligent Paul Okoro (crime reporter) to
the world. Not forgetting the powerful scene of the drinking parlour
"shebeen" early in this work where cold beers can be obtained
cheaply, somehow. And where terrible fights break out involving all sorts of
protagonists. This is a fast-paced thrilling work - it is also in this first
adventure where Paul meets his equally remarkable wife, Aimee, as "special
chemistry" takes over and they bond. Not that this stops him from
consorting with prostitutes in the underworld - all in pursuit of investigating
the case of course; and spending the night with a warm-hearted
woman of the night who inadvertently sheds more light on goings-on. Stirring,
yet frightening songs that add to the intrigues. We learn about dreaded
crocodiles and an esoteric ruthless organisation holding the whole country to
ransom. Paul and his gorgeous lady are captured, and escape of course and help
in rounding up a most evil cabal of individuals. Bravo! Pity that Paul would
lose a leg though, but can one make an omelette without breaking eggs?
Stone
of Vengeance
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. 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!".
-
- O
Bolaji
