Pacesetter Novels are a collection of 130 works of popular fiction written by notable African authors, published by Macmillan.[1] The series was started in 1977, with the first book being Director! by Agbo Areo.

Pace setter
PublisherMacMillan
Publication date
1977

Writing style

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The Pacesetters series was characterised by adventures of falling in love, ethno-religious conflicts, tragic tales of woe, cautionary tales, and "rags to riches" (and sometimes back to rags!) tales.

Book cover artwork

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The book covers usually featured very garish pictures that served to illustrate the main theme of that particular novel.[2]

Authors

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The authors of the books are noted African novelists and writers. Some of the more celebrated of these are Buchi Emecheta, Barbara Kimenye[3] and Helen Ovbiagele.[4]

Titles

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  • 1. A Picture Of Innocence – A. Mhlope
  • 2. Agony In Her Voice – Peter Katuliiba
  • 3. Angel Of Death – Nandi Dlovu
  • 4. Anything For Money – Akinbolu Babarinsa
  • 5. The Betrayer – Sam A. Adewoye
  • 6. Bitter Consequences – Osman Conteh
  • 7. Bittersweet – Yéma L. Hunter
  • 8. The Black Temple – Mohmed T. Garba
  • 9. Blackmailers – Joseph Mangut
  • 10. Bloodbath At Lobster Close† – D. Ighavini
  • 11. Bonds Of Love – Hope Dube
  • 12. The Border Runners – James Irungu & James Shimanyula
  • 13. Camera Never Lies – A. Mhlope
  • 14. Cherished Dreams – Mugarra Adyeeri
  • 15. Child Of The Rainbow – Anthony Kwamlah Johnson
  • 16. Child Of War – Ben Chirasha
  • 17. Christmas In The City – Afari Assan
  • 18. Circle Of Betrayal – James Irungu
  • 19. Coup! – Kalu Okpi
  • 20. Cross-Fire – Kalu Okpi
  • 21. The Cyclist* – Philip Phil-Ebosie
  • 22. Danger Express – D. Msere
  • 23. Dangerous InheritanceChuma Nwokolo
  • 24. Dangerous Waters – Maurice Sotabinda
  • 25. Dead Of Night – Philip Phil-Ebosie
  • 26. Deadly News – Prim Nga'ab
  • 27. Dealers In Death – Victor Thorpe
  • 28. Death Is Woman – Dickson Ighavini
  • 29. Dela Boya-African Detective – Kojo Akwa
  • 30. The Delinquent – Mohammed Sule
  • 31. Desert Storm – Hope Dube
  • 32. Director! – Agbo Areo
  • 33. Double DatingWalije Gondwe
  • 34. Double Trouble – Osman Conteh
  • 35. A Dream Called September – Christine Botchway
  • 36. The Equatorial Assignment – David G. Maillu
  • 37. Europeans Only? – George Mason
  • 38. Evbu My Love – Helen Ovbiagele
  • 39. The Extortionist – Chuma Nwokolo
  • 40. FeliciaRosina Umelo
  • 41. Finding Francis – Damian Asabuhi
  • 42. Finger Of Suspicion – Rosina Umelo
  • 43. For Better For Worse – Osman P. Conteh
  • 44. For Mbatha And Rabeka – David G. Maillu
  • 45. Forever YoursHelen Ovbiagele
  • 46. Forgive Me Maryam – Mohmed T. Garba
  • 47. Francie Molala and the Mercedes Affair – D. Fitzgibbons
  • 48. A Fresh Start – Helen Ovbiagele
  • 49. Frozen Fire* – Victor Thorpe
  • 50. Give Me Money – B. Mtobwa
  • 51. Gun Merchant – Kwasi Koranteng
  • 52. Harvest Of LoveSam Aryeetey
  • 53. Have Mercy – Joseph Mangut
  • 54. The Hopeful Lovers* – Agbo Areo
  • 55. The Hornet's Nest – Jill Inyundo
  • 56. The Infamous Act – Mohammed Sule
  • 57. The Instrument – Victor Thorpe
  • 58. A Kind Of Marriage – Buchi Emecheta
  • 59. The Last Aloe – R. Wooding
  • 60. Life Is A Lottery — Sotabinda
  • 61. The Lost Generation – J. Irungu
  • 62. Love – Kalu Okpi
  • 63. Love Letters – Rosina Umelo
  • 64. Love Match: Imperfect Partners – Walije Gondwe
  • 65. Love On The Rocks – Andrew Sesinyi
  • 66. Love's Dilemma – Walije Gondwe
  • 67. Mark Of The Cobra – Valentine Alily
  • 68. The Mating GameBarbara Kimenye
  • 69. Meet Me In Conakry – Sheriff Sarr
  • 70. The Money Doublers – Maurice Sotabinda
  • 71. The Money Road – Miriam Nkhana
  • 72. Moses and the Gunman – B. Kimenye
  • 73. Naira PowerBuchi Emecheta
  • 74. Nanasi Girl – Damian Asabuhi
  • 75. The Night Of the Full Moon – Muheki-Rushedgé
  • 76. On The Road – Kalu Okpi
  • 77. Operation Rhino – James Irungu & James Shimanyula
  • 78. The Other Side Of TownSam Aryeetey
  • 79. Pains Of A MaidSarah Mkhonza
  • 80. Poisoned Bait – James Ngumy
  • 81. The Politician* – Kalu Okpi
  • 82. Possessed! – Atu Yalley
  • 83. The President’s Son – Kwasi Koranteng
  • 84. Race Against Rats – Nandi Dlovu
  • 85. Rassie – Andrew Sesinyi
  • 86. Remember Death – Gladstone Meena
  • 87. Rich Girl, Poor Boy – Bode Osanyin
  • 88. The Runaway Bride – Barbara Kimenye
  • 89. The Schemers – Helen Ovbiagele
  • 90. Sea Running – Tish Farrell
  • 91. Second-Hand Love – Walije Gondwe
  • 92. Secret Blood – John Chitambo
  • 93. Shadow Of A Dream – Hope Dube
  • 94. Shadow Of Death – Jackson Katondwaci
  • 95. Shameful Sacrifice – Richard Anieke
  • 96. Sisi – Yemi Sikuade
  • 97. Small Affairs – Kenneth Rowley
  • 98. The Smugglers* – Kalu Okpi
  • 99. Something To Hide – Rosina Umelo
  • 100. South African Affair* – Kalu Okpi
  • 101. Spears Down – Christine Botchway
  • 102. State Secret – Hope Dube
  • 103. Stone of Vengeance – Victor Thorpe
  • 104. Stop Press: Murder! – Mohmed T. Garba
  • 105. The Stranger Son – Ruth Reeves
  • 106. Sunset At Noon – A. Johnson
  • 107. Sweet Revenge – Victor A. Ulojiofor
  • 108. Symphony of Destruction – Sunday D. Adebomi
  • 109. Teardrops At Sunset – Richard Akoji
  • 110. Tell Me No More – Sensenjani Lukhele
  • 111. The Legacy – Kwasi Koranteng
  • 112. Thorns Of Life – David G. Maillu
  • 113. To Have & To Hold – Shelley Davidow
  • 114. Tobacco Smoke – Kwasi Koranteng
  • 115. Too Cold For Comfort – Jide Oguntoye
  • 116. Too Young To Die* – Omondi Mak'Oloo
  • 117. The Treasure – Peter Katuliiba
  • 118. Truth Will Out – Dede Kamkondo
  • 119. The Undesirable Element – Mohammed Sule
  • 120. Vicious Circle – Alexander Kanengoni
  • 121. Wages Of Sin – Ibe Oparandu
  • 122. What The Future Holds – Sarah Mkhonza
  • 123. When Love Dies* – Gladstone Meena
  • 124. Where Children Play – Christine Botchway
  • 125. Who Killed Mohtta? – Edison N. Yongai
  • 126. Who Really Cares – Helen Ovbiagele
  • 127. Women For Sale – Joseph Mangut
  • 128. The Worshippers – Victor Thorpe
  • 129. You Never Know – Helen Ovbiagele
  • 130. Zero Hour – Ben Mtobwa

NB. † No longer exists * Out of print[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b Pacesetter Novels website.
  2. ^ "Throwback: Pacesetters Series", BookShy, 10 April 2012.
  3. ^ Khainga O'Okwemba, "Barbara Kimenye: East Africa’s Bestselling Children’s Author", The Star (Kenya), 27 September 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  4. ^ Toni Kan, "The Thriller Tradition in Nigerian Literature (1)", Vanguard, 22 January 2012.
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