Sat 5 Mar 2011
Reviews by L. J. Roberts
KWEI QUARTEY – Wife of the Gods. Random House, US, hardcover, July 2009; trade paperback, August 2010.
Genre: Police procedural. Leading character: Det. Inspector Darko Dawson; 1st in series. Setting: Ghana, Africa.
First Sentence: The forest was black and Darko was afraid to enter.
DI Darko Dawson is ordered to investigate the murder of a young woman in Kentau, the town from which his mother disappeared many years before. Fighting an incompetent local policeman, Inspector Fiti, superstition and a local priest to whom young women are given as trokosi or wives of the gods, Dawson sets about trying to solve both mysteries and prevent an innocent man from being hanged.
I very much enjoyed this book. On one hand, it is a wonderful look into life in Ghana, which was fascinating; on the other hand it’s a good, solid mystery.
Quartey creates a very strong sense of place whether it be in the town or the small village. We see the customs, even down to the manner of salutations, and superstition, as well as the contrast between lives in the two environments.
Dawson is well-crafted character. He comes from a family history that is less than ideal, smokes marijuana, although it is illegal, a critically ill son and a difficult relationship with his mother-in-law. Although it wasn’t focused upon, I did wonder whether Dawson has a form of synesthesia from there being a couple mentions of his being able to feel voices.
I appreciated the contrast between Dawson, who uses standard investigative techniques, and Fiti who believes in superstition and forcing a confession to prove his belief. However, I also appreciated there being repercussions for Dawson’s actions, which is unusual.
The story is well plotted and I certainly did not figure out the killer rior to it being revealed. It is wonderful to see more new authors appearing from other countries. I look forward to reading Mr. Quartey’s next book.
Rating: Very Good.
Coming soon: Darko Dawson #2. Children of the Street, Random House, trade ppbk, July 2011.
March 6th, 2011 at 8:40 pm
I am really enjoying reading these reviews, L.J. I have passed up on reading this book many times almost as often as I have seen it on the shelves of our rapidly disappearing Borders (only ONE left in the entire city soon). I think this is because I thoroughly disliked a book called CARRION OF DEATH set in Botswana (I never even finished it) and was avoiding anymore African settings in crime fiction. But the book I gave up on was written by two Americans who did business in Botswana. This is written by a native of Ghana. Completely different outlook, I’m sure. And the lead character sounds more well rounded and unique rather than the stock quaint detective and his bland wife in CARRION OF DEATH.
But now I have a true mystery lover’s take on this I will eagerly seek out a copy and stuff it into the mountain known as the TBR pile.
March 7th, 2011 at 9:38 am
Years ago CLUES did an issue devoted to African mystery fiction, and most of it was pseudo American style hard boiled eyes and spies stuff either set in the US (John West and Rocky Steele) or an Africa that was mostly big city urban and not particularly culturally or socially African.
And most of it was out of then Aparthied South Africa — some fine writers like James McClure, Peter Driscoll, Geoffrey Jenkins, but very much white Anglo Saxon writers and pov.
I wonder if the success of Alexande McCall’s African mysteries has opened up the field for locals to try more Africacentric books?
I have a friend from Ghana, I’ll pass the title along to him in case he gets homesick. Though honestly, from the way he talks he may not want to go back even for a fictional visit.
March 7th, 2011 at 4:21 pm
I liked this book, too, and @David, I can really say that this book is not American crime fiction set in Africa. The setting and the people ring authentic and reflect the good and the bad of Africa.
March 7th, 2011 at 9:01 pm
Here’s Karen’s review of WIFE OF THE GODS:
http://www.howmysterious.com/2011/02/19/wife-of-the-gods/
and may I recommend her website, too?
http://www.howmysterious.com/
In a lot of ways it complements this one, since she reviews mostly newer books and movies, whereas over here, it’s the older stuff we pay a lot more attention to.
March 10th, 2011 at 4:34 am
Just a response to JF Norris: Michael Sears and I (authors of A Carrion Death) are both born and bred Africans, and academics not businessmen.
March 10th, 2011 at 3:50 pm
Stan
Consider the correction made, with apologies. Thanks for stopping by!
— Steve
March 11th, 2011 at 10:14 am
Thanks. And Wife of the Gods is an excellent read.