Synopses & Reviews
Will Ferguson takes readers deep into the labyrinth of lies that is "419," the world's most insidious Internet scam.
A car tumbles through darkness down a snowy ravine.
A woman without a name walks out of a dust storm in sub-Saharan Africa.
And in the seething heat of Lagos City, a criminal cartel scours the Internet, looking for victims.
Lives intersect. Worlds collide. And it all begins with a single email: "Dear Sir, I am the daughter of a Nigerian diplomat, and I need your help
"
When Laura Curtis, a lonely editor in a cold northern city, discovers that her father has died because of one such swindle, she sets out to track down and corner her father's killer. It is a dangerous game she's playing, however, and the stakes are higher than she can ever imagine.
Woven into Laura's journey is a mysterious woman from the African Sahel with scars etched into her skin and a young man who finds himself caught up in a web of violence and deceit.
And running through it, a dying father's final words: "You, I love."
Review
"As good a novel about the world in its entirety, from Canada to Nigeria, as I've seen in years, or will likely see in years to come. It stays with you, it makes you think, and it hurts." Gary Shteyngart, New York Times bestselling author of Super Sad True Love Story
Review
“419 is sharp and unpredictable, full of surprising, wonderful characters. It isn't just clever — it's spectacular." Roddy Doyle, author of The Commitments
Review
“It's a deeply ironic, thoroughly engaged politico-philosophical thriller….Riveting. Provocative.” The Globe and Mail
Review
…A quick-plotted thriller.” The Atlantic Wire
Review
“A sweeping story with complex twists and turns that spans continents, breaks hearts and ruins lives.” The Chronicle-Herald (Halifax)
Review
“The story [Ferguson] weaves is heart-wrenching, fascinating, and scary. A thriller with a raw nerve ending….Ferguson…dazzles us in 419 with an intricately woven, urgent story. It is an unflinching, ambitious work, flinging us back and forth across the Atlantic, and taking us into danger….It is a persuasive work of fiction based on a very original premise. Ferguson who swings so deftly from humor to thriller is a writer who can genuinely surprise.” The Toronto Star
Review
“Ferguson's revenge novel will appeal to everyone….A sprawling but beautiful third novel. It is a mixture of intrigue, storytelling, parenthood, sorrow, vengeance and fun. It reads a little bit like a Ludlum spy saga, a little bit like a Dicken's character novel, a little bit like an Oscar-seeking movie….[Ferguson] designed [419] as a page-turner. He succeeds fully.” Winnipeg Free Press
Review
“Though there is a touch of humour in its pages, 419 is much more of a showcase for Ferguson's travel-writing talents….A truly enjoyable book….Ferguson is a keen observer of landscapes and cityscapes, and has a brilliant ear for dialogue and accent… you will never see those creative "419" emails in your inbox in quite the same way.” The Gazette (Montreal)
Review
“A powerful read…Ferguson is a heavy-weight now.” NOW magazine
About the Author
Will Ferguson is the author of several award-winning and critically-acclaimed books, including Beyond Belfast and Happiness™. His work has been nominated for both an IMPAC Dublin Award and a Commonwealth WritersPrize. He lives in Calgary, Canada.