Review of Quest: Finding Freddie

[Nisha DSouza]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Quest: Finding Freddie" by Thomas Richard Spradlin.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Thomas Richard Spradlin, a general partner at the legal firm Clifford & Warnke, is delegated the responsibility of locating a client who's gone missing in Nigeria. Frederick David Nachman, fondly known as Freddie, goes missing while on a business trip on the Jewish Sabbath. According to the desk clerk at the Federal Palace Hotel, where Freddie was staying before he went missing, he had reportedly gone out for a short walk and never returned. Freddie's wife, Ruth, was extremely worried about her husband's disappearance, primarily because it occurred at a moment of political unrest in Nigeria. Freddie's disappearance—in the wake of a military coup, widespread corruption, the assassination of General Muhammed, the ensuing public execution of the coup confederates, and the growing hostility towards Jewish people—was an alarming and suspicious event. Will Richard Spradlin be successful in his Quest to find Freddie? Will it be a rescue mission or a recovery operation? You absolutely must grab a copy of this book to find out.
 
After reading the introduction, you must have thought that this was a fictional book, right? I was astonished to discover that this book was based on real-life events. The author has masterfully shared the facts of the story without giving out the real names of some individuals to protect their identity. The way Spradlin systematically and strategically plans everything is mind-blowing. How he enters Nigeria, the trials and tribulations he faces, the unexpected allies and enemies he makes, and the shocking discoveries that lead him to a dangerous turn of events will keep readers on the edge of their seats. I particularly enjoyed how Spradlin used his intelligence, military background, and generous tips to procure the best possible outcome in the worst possible situations. I also appreciated his ability to gain people's confidence and get them to help him in his cause.
 
Quest: Finding Freddie is an absolute page-turner, and I was curious to learn how things turned out for Freddie. What made the book exceptionally intriguing was that everything depicted in it really happened. The various people Spradlin encountered during his mission, and how each played an essential role in taking him one step closer to discovering what happened to his client, were indescribably perfect. I have no complaints except for the errors I found in the book.
 
The various cultures described and how Spradlin paid attention to each and played it to his strengths will be an enjoyable aspect of this book. For instance, he ensured he learned Pidgin English, which helped him in multiple situations; he ordered local food, which made him approachable to the staff; he hired and sought assistance from local people and ensured they were well-remunerated throughout their mission. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Quest and rate it 4 out of 5 stars. I deducted one star for the errors I noticed in the book.
 
I recommend the book to readers who appreciate historical non-fiction, particularly about Nigerian history and the political climate in the 1970s. Readers who like reading about rescue operations and military action will also find this book very interesting. The cultural nuances captured by the author will showcase Nigeria's rich heritage and traditions.
 

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Quest: Finding Freddie
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[Maria Lepre]

Thank you for this review! Now I can't wait to read it, especially after discovering that it is actually based on a true story. Congratulations on your review, it inspired me a lot and was perfect!