Review of Quest: Finding Freddie

[Colleado Keana Rose]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Quest: Finding Freddie" by Thomas Richard Spradlin.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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After reading Thomas Richard Spradlin's book, Quest: Finding Freddie, I was instantly hooked by the exciting true story of his quest to find his missing client, Frederick David Nachman. Freddie, who was the President and CEO of Nachman International Trading Corporation, vanished on August 14, 1976, while on a business trip in Lagos, Nigeria. His disappearance occurred during a period of intense political unrest in Nigeria, with the assassination of General Murtala Muhammed and the aftermath of Israel's Entebbe rescue mission adding to the tension.

The author, Thomas Richard Spradlin, who worked as an attorney for the law firm handling NITC's affairs, was in Lagos at the time of Freddie's disappearance, though for a different case. Upon his return to Washington, D.C., Spradlin was summoned to a meeting with the chairman of his firm, where he was assigned the task of returning to Nigeria to locate the missing Freddie. Due to his non-citizen status, both the US and Swedish governments were unable to intervene in the situation.

Spradlin did an exceptional job of capturing the ambience of Nigeria in the 1970s, a period marked by significant political and cultural unrest. His detailed descriptions made me feel as though I were alongside him, navigating through the frenzied streets of Lagos. His interactions with the locals, from the helpful ones to the shady characters, added an authentic touch to the narrative. Spradlin’s efforts to grasp the local dialect, known as "pidgin" English, further enhanced the story’s realism.
What I found most appealing about Spradlin’s writing was the perfect balance he struck between humor and seriousness in his mission. His storytelling technique was captivating, with a sometimes lighthearted tone that prevented the book from becoming too somber despite the grave subject matter. The characters and settings were vividly portrayed, which helped me form clear mental images of the individuals and places he encountered, adding to the overall reading experience.

Although Quest: Finding Freddie was an intriguing read, I found a minor flaw that disrupted the reading flow at times, particularly in the dialogue. I noticed some dialogue errors. Though not a notable error, however, these were minor issues and did not significantly detract from the overall quality of the book. This book was professionally edited with few errors. I rate the book 5 out of 5 stars, considering it to be a fascinating read that weaves together a personal narrative with historical events, providing a captivating account of a real-life mystery. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical nonfiction, adventure, and political stories.

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Quest: Finding Freddie
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[Chiemego Nwokolo]

Spradlin did a remarkable job of portraying the atmosphere of Nigeria during the 1970s, a time of substantial political and cultural upheaval. His thorough explanations gave me the impression that I was traveling around Lagos' chaotic streets with him.