Wife of the Gods, by Kwei Quartey – Book Review
Wife of the Gods, by Kwei Quartey is Recommended.
Darko Dawson is a Detective Inspector living in Accra, the capital city of Ghana. Though he has the career that he has longed for as a child, a loving wife, and an adorable six-year-old son, Darko is still plagued by questions concerning his mother’s disappearance in her hometown of Ketanu, just over twenty years ago. Darko and his brother visited Ketanu once as children, yet after their mother’s tragic and mysterious disappearance neither of them has ever gone back. When Gladys Mensah, a young female medical student working to educate the local village women on contraception and AIDS, is murdered and left in a field in Ketanu, Darko must return not only to investigate the shocking crime but to finally face the past that he has been uneasily avoiding.
Darko is uniquely qualified to assist in the investigation since he is the only one on the force able to speak Ewe (pronounced eh-way), the language of his mother’s village. Reluctant to leave his wife and ailing son, Darko nevertheless packs up and relocates temporarily to Ketanu to reconnect with family he has met only once and to oversee the murder investigation. Gladys Mensah, the young medical student found strangled in the fields of Ketanu, had a strong relationship with the women of the community that she served, but as it turns out she was often at odd with the polygamous priests of village as well as the local tribal doctor-a man with whom Darko has troubling past associations.
Already, Wife of the Gods has been compared favorably to Alexander McCall Smith’s No. 1 Detective Agency series, and while I recently acquired a copy of the first book in that series, I have yet to read it, which made it easy for me to immerse myself in Wife of the Gods without having any distracting comparisons rattling around in my head. I have to say that this book definitely is able to stand on its own as a solid beginning to an intriguing mystery series. Darko Dawson (I keep wanting to call him Donnie Darko) is an interesting character- complex, flawed and not wholly likable- at least not so that you are completely comfortable with liking him. He definitely does some things that make you raise your eyebrows, and issues he needs to work on- anger management being chief among them. You wonder how he manages to keep his job. With a penchant for smoking marijuana that he scores from one of his police informants, and a violent and barely leashed temper, I sometimes questioned his ability to carry out his duties effectively, but at the same time I was drawn in by how much he took an interest in the lives of the people he encountered and his deep need to help the young man who has been, Darko believes, wrongfully accused of Gladys Mensah’s murder.
Supporting the detective story is the wonderful background of the city of Accra and Ketanu where we are able to vividly see the way the the old world customs conflict and struggle to survive the new. The traditional medicines and remedies are much different than the modern ones, and even the cause of basic diseases are not the same. Quartey is able to weave a lot of the details of the culture in with the narrative and I was very taken with reading about the different foods, vocabulary and opposing modern and traditional medical approaches. A fine balance is drawn between moving the story along and briefly introducing characters who will likely play key roles as the series develops- of course his family, but also with his mentor and his mostly estranged brother. I think one of the most fascinating things of all will see how Darko will handle the demons that are plaguing him and what choices he will make not only in his career but within his marriage.
Both mysteries, of Darko’s mother and Gladys Mensah, unfolded at a suspenseful pace and I alternately wanted to go back to whichever section I had last been reading to learn more about what was going on. I enjoyed trying to solve each of the mysteries and I definitely think that if you pay attention you will formulate an uneasy guess at “whodunnit” before it becomes obvious. It’ll be uneasy because, well…you just never know. I am not much of a series reader- they are just way too complicated for me in trying to determine the order, and waiting around for the new book to come out, etc. I am so glad that I was able to read the first of this series because I would love to check up on Darko and see how he gets along.
Read More Reviews of Wife of the Gods, by Kwei Quartey At:
- Monday, August 3rd: A Novel Menagerie
- Tuesday, August 4th: APOOO Books
- Wednesday, August 5th: Jen’s Book Thoughts
- Thursday, August 6th: Musings of a Bookish Kitty
- Friday, August 7th: Beth Fish Reads
- Monday, August 10th: My Friend Amy
- Wednesday, August 12th: Reading, ‘Riting, and Randomness
- Thursday, August 13th: Serendipitous Readings
- Monday, August 17th: Maw Books
- Tuesday, August 18th: Bluestalking
- Wednesday, August 19th: Booking Mama
- Friday, August 21st: She is Too Fond of Books
- Monday, August 24th: The Tome Traveller
- Wednesday, August 26th: Shelf Life
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26 Responses to “Wife of the Gods, by Kwei Quartey – Book Review”
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May 2010
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Very thoughtful review, Nicole. I had to laugh at your reference to Donnie Darko…I wonder if that came into the author’s mind at all?
I really like flawed protagonists, and I like mysteries and foreign countries are always interesting, so I know I should be picking this up! The marijuana thing makes me giggle, too.
trish´s last blog ..Portland anyone?
It was a little distracting, the Donnie Darko thing. I remember taking a fiction writing class in college and they warn against naming your characters for other really familiar characters or figures in history. I didn’t think too much about it at the time, but now I can really see how that could be problematic.
that’s funny that you keep wanting to call him Donnie Darko…that’s something I would totally do.
J.T. Oldfield´s last blog ..Words to the Wise by Michael J. Sheehan
I’m surprised I managed to get it right when I was typing this up. It took some conscious thought.
I just started this one last night and found it really interesting! I thought your review was terrific, and I can’t wait to see what happens! I have read almost all of the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency books and enjoyed them, but I have to admit that I think the main reason for comparison is that it is a detective story that takes place in Africa! I have a feeling that WIFE OF THE GODS might be a “deeper” read, but maybe I’m wrong.
Julie P.´s last blog ..Review: Best Friends Forever
A love a good mystery and this one sounds good because of the cultural details woven in it. Great review!
Kathy´s last blog ..Review: Apologize, Apologize!
There was so much interesting information about Ghana and he did a really good job of naturally including a lot of it.
I’ve read nothing but good reviews about this book. I’m going to have to find it. I love a good mystery with interesting characters. Thanks for the complete review.
Margot´s last blog ..Update: Julie & Julia – The Movie
It was just the right set-up Margot. Just enough in this books to have a lot of good stuff unfold in the next one. I hope you enjoy if you read.
I loved this book (review and interview coming 8/21 and 8/22) … the setting was truly unique. Like you, I want to see what happens with Darko and his family …
Dawn – She is Too Fond of Books´s last blog ..Now hear this! Thoughts on *Law of Connection* audiobook by Michael Losier (guest post)
I thought it was really well done the way all the of the issues were set-up but really no answers.
I wonder if Ghana was one we guessed when we were trying to list all the African countries? I’ll have to check! I’ve been meaning to read more lit set in Africa so I might want this one.
Sure we must have gotten Ghana. I think at least I would have mentioned because that’s one country that I actually know people.
I’ve read so many great things about this one and now I can add your wonderful review to that!! I can’t wait to read this one. My library has it but it’s still a 14 day loan book and I’m trying to get caught up with my pile!!! I’m reading this before the year is out!!
I think it will be a good one to follow because there are so many of the personal pieces that you want to unfold. I am looking forward to reading the next book.
Ha, did you read my rant about the comparison btwn this and Ladies?
This is an excellent review! And I was right there with you on the Donnie Darko bit!
Amy @ My Friend Amy´s last blog ..Review: A Tale of the Dispossessed by Laura Restrepo
What a great review! I liked this one too. Darko is such an interesting character. I look forward to reading more about him in the future.
Literary Feline´s last blog ..A Book By A Different Cover? – Guest Post by Sheri from A Novel Menagerie)
I’ve seen a few stops on this tour, but have heard that the comparison with the Ladies Detective agency isn’t really an apples-to-apples comparison. I think this one may be more up my alley.
great review.
Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit)´s last blog ..Visions of America by Joseph Sohm
Hi Nicole, Great review!! I’m thrilled that you enjoyed the book and wanted to thank you for taking the time to read and review it. Your reference to Donnie Darko made me chuckle.. I’d probably be saying it wrong the whole time I was reading the book!
Lisamm´s last blog ..Summer Reading Series: Two Years, No Rain Discussion Questions
What a great review. Like you, I haven’t yet read McCall Smith’s series yet (the book has been in my tbr since forever, and I recently got the audio version – I’m not sure why I haven’t read it yet, since I love all of McCall Smith’s books set in Edinburgh.). I’m very tempted to give this one a go before I get into the Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency series.
Belle´s last blog ..The Art of the Insult
SOunds great… You have really written this one in great detail and I feel the need to grab this book
Veens´s last blog ..Need some input!
While I did read the first book in the McCall series and this book I didn’t find myself comparing them to each other at all. Great review!
Natasha @ Maw Books´s last blog ..Zlata’s Diary, A Child’s Life in Sarajevo by Zlata Filipovic
Really great review. I have come across this book so many times now that I want to read it as soon as possible.
Shweta´s last blog ..The Forest Of Hands And Teeth by Carrie Ryan
This is a wonderful review, Nicole! I really enjoyed this one, I’ve read most of the No. 1 LDA series and I do see why the comparisons are made. But this (hopefully) series is somehow grittier and a bit darker. I loved the way the author described Darko’s ability to “feel” voices, it added an interesting layer to the character.
Carey´s last blog ..Saturday Suggestions: The Dutchman Series by Maan Meyers
Nicole…I’ve been seeing this one reviewed everyone, and thanks to your post I’ve finally added to my list; thanks so much
diane´s last blog ..Waiting of Wednesday: Bloodroot