Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o's *Petals of Blood* is a profound political novel set in post-independence Kenya. It intertwines the lives of four protagonists—Munira, Abdulla, Wanja, and Karega—whose paths converge in the transitioning town of Ilmorog. Framed as a murder mystery, the book delivers a searing critique of neo-colonialism, capitalism, and the betrayal of the promises of independence. It masterfully explores themes of social injustice, political corruption, and the struggle for an authentic national identity, making it a powerful and essential work of African literature.