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The Talk of the Party
- Author
- Foluso Agbaje
- Narrator
- Rachel Adedeji, Okezie Morro
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Publish Date
- 4 June 2026
- Run Time
- 10 hours 26 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
In a family built on lies, what happens when the truth comes out?
Bukola Obanile’s 60th birthday party is the hottest ticket in town. But champagne isn’t all that is being served…
The Obaniles' picture-perfect life is the envy of all Lagos society, and everyone wants a piece. So, when renowned matriarch Bukola’s birthday approaches, there are no expenses spared. Five hundred guests are invited, and her four children are all in attendance. Everything will be perfect, just as planned.
Except living the dream comes at a price and, as the party draws closer, each of the Obanile children find themselves embroiled in scandals that could shatter the flawless reputation their mother has carefully built.
As the music builds and chandeliers glitter, this one perfect night could be all it takes to destroy a family built on deception…
Readers LOVE The Talk of the Party!‘A glamorous, dramatic portrait of the lives, desires, and tensions of Nigeria’s upper class' Oyinkan Braithwaite
'The thrills and twist will keep you reading into the night' ★★★★★
'TWISTED AND SUSPENSEFUL' ★★★★★
'A sharp, unsettling novel' ★★★★★
‘A tender, incisive, and deeply human exploration of life and death—and everything in between. Agbaje writes beautifully of love and of secrets; of what we inherit, what we choose to protect, and the cost of knowing. And ultimately, if we are lucky, redemption.’ Chika Unigwe
‘A highly entertaining family drama’ Rukky Brume, author of It Comes in Waves
'Sun, fun, fashion…and twist on twist to keep you guessing.' Saga
'A smart, incisive, thrilling, epic romp … keeps us wanting more till the very end!’ Bolu Babalola
'With remarkable empathy and objectivity, Foluso Agbaje boldly exposes the shallowness and decadence of Lagos society’ Sefi Atta
Critics Review
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Praise for Foluso Agbaje:'1940's Nigeria as you've rarely seen it … Kehinde's journey to discovering her own voice, and ultimately her own autonomy, will resonate with many. A delightful debut!’
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Chioma Okereke, author of Water Baby
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'A delightful and evocative journey that starts in the heart of a young woman in Lagos whose destiny is threatened when the clouds of family and societal expectations, thesecond World War and the new wave of change sweeping West Africa make their impact on her life and choices'
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Ola Awonubi, author of A Nurse’s Tale
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'We all studied WW2, but Nigeria’s role, as a British colony, doesn’t feature in many books. Agbaje corrects this in her poignant debut. I rooted for feisty Kehinde from the get-go. It’s not easy to be a feminist when you’re a third wife and destined for the parlour – her courage was wonderfully written'
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Nikki May, author of Wahala and This Motherless Land
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'Written in a warm, compassionate voice, Foluso Agbaje’s The Parlour Wife is a harmonious marriage of historical events and memorable characters'
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Sefi Atta, author of The Bad Immigrant
User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- Foluso Agbaje
- Narrator
- Rachel Adedeji, Okezie Morro
- Duration
- 10 hours 26 minutes
- Release Date
- 4 June 2026
- ISBN
- 9780008787578
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Genre
- Family life fiction / Stories about family, Psychological thriller, Thriller / suspense fiction, Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general
Synopsis
'So good. I read it in two days… I could not stop… So many twists and turns…This is one to read for sure!!' ★★★★★ In a family built on lies, what happens when the truth comes out? Bukola Obanile’s 60th birthday party is the hottest ticket in town. But champagne isn’t all that is being served… The Obaniles' picture-perfect life is the envy of all Lagos society, and everyone wants a piece. So, when renowned matriarch Bukola’s birthday approaches, there are no expenses spared. Five hundred guests are invited, and her four children are all in attendance. Everything will be perfect, just as planned. Except living the dream comes at a price and, as the party draws closer, each of the Obanile children find themselves embroiled in scandals that could shatter the flawless reputation their mother has carefully built. As the music builds and chandeliers glitter, this one perfect night could be all it takes to destroy a family built on deception… Readers LOVE The Talk of the Party! ‘A glamorous, dramatic portrait of the lives, desires, and tensions of Nigeria’s upper class' Oyinkan Braithwaite 'The thrills and twist will keep you reading into the night' ★★★★★ 'TWISTED AND SUSPENSEFUL' ★★★★★ 'A sharp, unsettling novel' ★★★★★ ‘A tender, incisive, and deeply human exploration of life and death—and everything in between. Agbaje writes beautifully of love and of secrets; of what we inherit, what we choose to protect, and the cost of knowing. And ultimately, if we are lucky, redemption.’ Chika Unigwe ‘A highly entertaining family drama’ Rukky Brume, author of It Comes in Waves 'Sun, fun, fashion…and twist on twist to keep you guessing.' Saga 'A smart, incisive, thrilling, epic romp … keeps us wanting more till the very end!’ Bolu Babalola 'With remarkable empathy and objectivity, Foluso Agbaje boldly exposes the shallowness and decadence of Lagos society’ Sefi Atta
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