Crime, Captivity, and Class Warfare in Oluseyi Albert’s Eco-Centric Crime Thriller

Flaming Ice, a crime fiction novel by Oluseyi Albert, tells a slow-burn story filled with suspense and romance, set in the fictional African country of Onyx. In this world, a form of aristocracy exists, and the author presents the story through the eyes of Ava Woods, a brown-skinned structural engineer, and Lord Clay Aster, an aristocrat and member of the New Order, a group of forward-thinking nobles who strive for equity in the country.

As the novel unfolds, the conflict in Onyx is rooted in power dynamics, classicism, and romantic rivalry. Clay and Ava's relationship gradually develops, eventually turning into a strong friendship as they work to dismantle the existing class systems and biases within Onyx. The author positions Flaming Ice within the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting themes such as leadership, sustainability, inequality, inclusion, and social justice.

A series of isolated but related incidents, including an unknown caller, cryptic messages, missing individuals, and threats, create a tense and suspenseful atmosphere throughout the story. As Clay's New Order associates warn Ava against any romantic connection with him, she demonstrates her resilience and determination as she faces the challenges brought upon by the sudden disappearance of her construction team members.

The author skillfully uses dialogue and African languages like Hausa and Swahili to create a vivid portrait of the characters and their cultural differences. Ava's vulnerability and Clay's masculine strength create a yearning in the reader for a fairytale ending. The juxtaposition of their characters and the author's attention to femininity through Ava's portrayal set Flaming Ice apart from other romance novels, breaking down the complexity of her professional life and emphasizing the importance of a fair and equitable society.