Blood of Many Colours

A Gripping Crime Thriller and Murder Mystery

When Detective Bryce Elijah discovers that his sister Florence has been brutally murdered, his search for justice leads him into a disturbing series of killings targeting female artists. As another painter turns up dead, Bryce begins to suspect that more than one murderer may be involved.

Working alongside criminal profiler Oliver Dennan, Bryce uncovers buried secrets, personal betrayals, and unsettling connections between the victims. But as the investigation deepens, he must confront painful truths about his sister and question everything he thought he knew.

Blood of Many Colours by Becky Anyanwu is a psychological crime thriller filled with suspense, unexpected twists, and a complex murder mystery where nothing is quite as it seems.

Discover Blood of Many Colours and follow a detective's pursuit of the truth in a case where every clue reveals a darker secret.

Excerpt from the book

The family dinner was delicious and lively, as usual. This time, there were guests, which seemed to add to the occasion. Bryce didn’t enjoy any of it—he didn’t even want to be here, but his mother was rather reluctant. She always sought ways to bring the family together, even if it meant inviting unfamiliar guests into their home and to the dinner table.

However, the guests weren’t unfamiliar. Esther and Hannah Cohen were the guests, invited by Bryce’s older brother, Joshua—or Jo, as they called him. Jo was the first son of the Elijah family and the pride of the household. He was one of those sons who upheld his father’s image, no matter what it took. A business magnate and a narcissist, Jo was absolutely a twin of their father. He lived somewhere in some rich area, earning from about two estates in another location that Bryce didn’t want to know about.

Abuja was quite a beautiful city, but it could also be boiling hot. Trees were scanty especially where people found they needed them for firewood. Meanwhile, their family home was in a bigger district where the family dinner was taking place, and Bryce mused to himself as he drove all the way from his house to theirs.

“I hope your parents are doing well,” his mother, Mrs. Elijah, said to Hannah.

“Very well, Ma’am,” Hannah replied with a smile. Esther also smiled but seemed to steal a glance at Bryce every chance she got. Hannah and Esther were sisters. As with all wealthy families, Mr. Elijah suggested to Hannah’s father that Joshua and Hannah should marry, believing it would strengthen their bond—not just as friends, but as businessmen in the business world. Bryce had scoffed at that logic.

The servants strolled in and out of the kitchen, carrying plates of food and fruits to arrange neatly on the table. While waiting, Bryce poured wine into his tumbler and sipped it slowly. Sitting beside him was Florence, his elder sister, the second-born. Quiet and graceful, she never rushed to speak a word to anyone—ever. At times, he called it timidness, but Florence was not timid. She was a painter, one who also taught children how to paint, so perhaps she was simply the way she was?

Maybe?

Bryce sighed and set the tumbler in front of him. He wanted to check his phone for messages or missed calls, but it was strictly forbidden during family dinner. So, everyone either kept their phones off or put it on silent. It had been a rule for more than 30 years; they had grown up with it unconsciously.

“Okay, that’s all done,” Mrs. Elijah announced. “Shall we all pray?”

Mr. Elijah led the prayer as the man of the house, and soon, everyone was digging into their food. They all seemed happy—companies were doing well, cars were being bought and managed monthly, and a marriage was about to take place. Bryce dug his fork into the square-shaped beef mixed with green vegetables.