Little Rot by Akwaeke Emezi

In this gripping tale, Aima and Kalu, a longtime couple, have just gone their separate ways. Kalu, struggling with the aftermath of the breakup, finds himself at an exclusive sex party hosted by his best friend, Ahmed. This seemingly impulsive decision sets off a chain of events that throws all of their lives into chaos.

At the same time, Ola and Souraya, two Nigerian sex workers visiting from Kuala Lumpur, become entangled in this turbulent scene. Their arrival coincides with the beginning of a catastrophic unraveling, drawing them into the city’s corrupt and glittering underworld. The initial allure quickly dissipates as the dangerous and shadowy elements of this world reveal themselves, leaving them all desperate to find a way out.

As their paths intersect, each character must navigate the treacherous terrain of deceit, violence, and desperation. Kalu's initial quest to forget his heartbreak thrusts him deeper into a web of criminal activity and personal danger. Aima, although separated from Kalu, finds herself inadvertently pulled back into the maelstrom as the fallout from Kalu's decisions impacts her life as well.

Ola and Souraya, far from home and without allies, must rely on their wits and each other to survive the increasingly perilous situations they encounter. The city's underbelly is a labyrinth of exploitation and peril, where every move they make could be their last.

United by their desperate need to escape the looming threats, these four individuals' fates become increasingly intertwined. Their journey is one of survival and resilience, as they confront the darkest aspects of human nature and fight for their freedom in a world that seeks to consume them. This novel is a thrilling exploration of love, loss, and the lengths to which people will go to survive.