Review of Quest: Finding Freddie

[Jane Gaskins]

[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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Quest: Finding Freddie
By: Thomas Richard Spradlin


Quest: Finding Freddie by Thomas Richard Spradlin is a true story about Frederick David Nachman of the Nachman International Trading Corporation and Thomas Spradlin, a prominent attorney. Freddie disappeared on August 14, 1976, from the street in Lagos. At the time, Nigeria was in widespread unrest due to the assassination of General Murtala Muhammed and the struggle between different factions to take control of the country. Thomas (Richard), an attorney in Washington, DC, was hired by the family to track down Freddie and deliver him home.

After seeking help from the Swedish and U.S. embassies, both refused to assist, and Richard had to search for Freddie alone. He assembled a small team of friends and acquaintances from his previous trips to the country. His team was multicultural and drawn from diverse backgrounds. Given Nigeria's history of internal conflict, political rivalry, and antisemitism, it was remarkable to observe how they learned to depend on each other. Richard did an excellent job of incorporating the country's history and educating the reader about the warring factions and other aspects of the country's history. I found that it added considerably to the story.

I was shocked by the widespread corruption and the frequent exchange of "bribe money" or "dash" for even the most trivial tasks. While reading the book, I was never certain Richard would ever track down Freddie or even be able to leave Nigeria himself. This book is spellbinding, edge-of-your-seat, and intriguing. It keeps you captivated and wondering until the surprise ending.

Richard realized that money and connections open many doors and change how people treat you on the other side of those doors. Individuals who previously wouldn't allow him to enter were suddenly pleasant and wanted more than just a passing greeting. The story involves a mix of sexual, military, and political intrigue. With a special passport from his past, Richard is traveling all over the world to secure the release of Freddie. One mistake could lead to both of them disappearing without a trace.

Richard transports his readers on a journey from splendor to squalor and back, demonstrating his ability to convey vivid details and emotions. With nothing in the book that I would change, I enjoyed every minute of this experience. I recommend this book to history enthusiasts and those who crave a captivating mystery. I will rate this book 5 out of 5. I found only one editing error - an omitted letter. I was very impressed with this book. It made me think about the unusual situation in Nigeria and how hard it is for people to leave or even live their lives.

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Quest: Finding Freddie
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[Leona Rodrigues]

What a review!! The book sounds interesting and hence goes straight to my 'want-to-read' list!