Book 4 of the Jade Riley Mysteries The Runaway Girl has now been released with Next Chapter Publishing. Find it on Amazon US, Amazon AU or Books2read. If you can’t get hold of a copy, reach out via the contact page, and I’ll help to resolve it.
Three missing girls. One deadly secret.
In Lagos, Nigeria, journalist Jade Riley investigates three girls’ disappearance and uncovers a shadowy underworld of money, power and exploitation.
Far from the city, young Yinka flees a life of hardship, seeking a new start.
Their paths converge as Jade and Yinka are drawn into the same web of danger. Can they unmask the criminal mastermind at the centre of it and bring him to justice?
A gripping mystery set in Africa, THE RUNAWAY GIRL is the fourth book in the Jade Riley series by Andrea Barton.
The Runaway Girl (then called LOST IN LAGOS) was long-listed for the Hawkeye Publishing Manuscript Development Prize 2021.
Andrea Barton lived in Lagos from 2004-2008. She has named the characters of Jade’s steward and driver after her real life staff, the fabulous Happiness Udoh and Joseph Dahunsi. This is a picture of Andrea’s Lagos family.
Praise for The Runaway Girl:
“Lost in Lagos riveted me from start to finish. The novel is propulsive, action-packed, and full of incident and surprise. The evocation of Lagos is vivid and convincing.”
Nadine Davidoff, Editor
“A remarkable novel telling a thrilling and important story.”
Bella Ellwood-Clayton, author of The Swimming Group
“The Runaway Girl is an action-packed narrative with heart. The vivid description of Lagos – the squalor, bustling and somehow thriving city – obviously comes from personal experience, even down to the dance instructor! An entertaining and exciting read that left me anticipating Jade’s next adventure.”
Sue Anderson, Editorial Head New Authors Collective
“I loved this book and couldn’t put it down. Andrea Barton propels the action from start to finish with no letup, placing her characters in impossibly hard, and often heart-breaking, situations. Five stars from me!”
Sarah Hawthorn, author The Dilemma
“A fantastic story with meaty characters, red herrings, intrepid sleuthing and great tension! I raced through it.”
Sarah Bourne, author Exile
“Compelling! Intense! A rollicking page turner!”
Lisa Heidke (Darcy), author of The Pact and Lily’s Little Flower Shop
“Lagos, Nigeria, provides a heady mix of vibrancy and danger as Jade, her family and friends face the horror of human trafficking and deadly threats. A nail biting, adrenaline-fuelled race against the clock. I couldn’t put it down!”
Diane Clarke, author of The Photograph
See the other Jade Riley Mysteries, The Godfather of Dance, A Killer Among Friends and The Man in the Dam.