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I enjoyed this book both as an engaging read and a glimpse into a different time and place. I felt drawn into the story from the first chapter. The author tied the various characters, events and background information together in a way that made sense, kept the pacing and suspense of the story, and conveyed the sense of urgency felt by the narrator. I appreciated the author’s descriptions of his surroundings and the people and situations he encountered in Nigeria. One thing I noted while reading it was the formality of the dialogue between characters. I understand the author wrote this nonfiction work decades after the events occurred; therefore, I would not expect dialogue to be word for word as it occurred. This doesn’t mean I think the dialogue was wrong. Speaking English in a foreign country in 1976 with people who spoke English as a second language may well have sounded just like this. In any case, I enjoyed noting the differences in language compared to the more casual, American dialect I hear and speak every day in 2024. For me, these differences added to the overall sense of being, literally and figuratively, in a different era on the other side of the world.

The dialogue may have felt stilted or overly formal, but the author was just probably trying to convey the importance. Everything about everything, especially how people living in a foreign country wer treated by Americans was different then.

Yes, that’s a good point. The dialogue certainly drew my attention. It was such a dire situation and the narrator was interacting with a world very different from 2024 in the U.S. I was also fascinated by the frequent use of “dash” for gaining information, services, favors, etc. I’m sure that sort of thing still goes on everywhere, but maybe it’s not as widespread, or at least hidden better!

This book and introductory dialogue on this discussion has piqued my interest in this historical nonfiction novel, and would have to add this to my want to read list.

I feel that the author added just the right amount of suspense and historical insight. Regarding the conversation above on the dialogue, I enjoyed the inclusion of Pidgin English.

I enjoyed the Pidgin English too! And I liked the scene where Richard studied the guide to it on the way to Nigeria so he could communicate better once he got there.

I actually thought the dialogue seemed appropriate for the extremely formal situations and the very highly places political figures he often spoke to. Most of the people he spoke to were colleagues or people he needed to be deferential toward.

I got a grasp of Nigeria's historical fashion. Spradlin paid attention to details, both in the dialogue and the character development. I was baffled by the negligence of the US and Swedish governments in the quest to find Mr. Nachman. This raised a lot of questions for me, and I am looking forward to reading more historical non-fiction books as intriguing as this.

I thought the footnotes were a good touch in case I had more questions on something brought up. The suspense was solid and kept me glued into the storyline.

Indeed, that is a valid point. I was definitely drawn in by the conversation. The narrator was interacting with a world that was quite different from 2024 in the United States, and the situation was extremely grave. The widespread usage of "dash" to obtain information, services, favors, etc. also piqued my interest. That kind of stuff undoubtedly still occurs everywhere, although perhaps it is less common or at least more covert!

"Suspense and historical insight" are two key elements that can greatly enrich a novel like "Quest: Finding Freddie." They work hand in hand to captivate readers by weaving a compelling narrative set against a backdrop of real-world events. Suspense keeps readers engaged and eager to uncover the resolution of the central mystery, while historical insight provides context, depth, and educates readers about the time period, culture, and challenges faced by the characters. Together, they create a dynamic reading experience that blends entertainment with informative exploration.

This book and the initial discourse on this forum have peaked my interest in this historical nonfiction novel, and I will have to add it to my must-read list.

The suspense used in the book is very interesting. It kept readers at the edge of their seat.

The book effectively combines suspenseful storytelling with historical accuracy, creating a captivating reading experience.

This book, along with the introductory discussion, has piqued my interest in this historical nonfiction novel, and I’ll definitely be adding it to my reading list.