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tunatanga's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
jcp1009's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun detective story that also brought in cultural aspects of Ghana. I always feel good when I figure out the killer before the detective in the story. I did feel like there were some loose ends but I know this is a recurring character so it may be resolved in later books.
lisaarnsdorf's review against another edition
4.0
What a great debut novel. Quartey has a very lyrical writing style. It was easy and beautiful to read. I learned a great deal about Ghana, and am curious to know more. The characters were great and I definitely want to know more about then.
Great, fast-reading mystery that's very different from anything else I've tackled.
Great, fast-reading mystery that's very different from anything else I've tackled.
missnicolerose's review against another edition
4.0
A great summer read for those who love a good murder mystery.
Kwei Quartey does a great job of introducing outsiders to Ghanian culture via Wife of the Gods. He explores the dichotomy between urban and rural, western and traditional, religious and secular. However, it seems to only scratch the surface.
The murder of Gladys, an AIDs educator and future doctor, introduces complex familial bonds, romance and jealousy, witchcraft and suspicion throughout her small village community.
While the ending was not entirely a shock, I still enjoyed the investigation of the multiple suspects and the development of Darko's character throughout.
Kwei Quartey does a great job of introducing outsiders to Ghanian culture via Wife of the Gods. He explores the dichotomy between urban and rural, western and traditional, religious and secular. However, it seems to only scratch the surface.
The murder of Gladys, an AIDs educator and future doctor, introduces complex familial bonds, romance and jealousy, witchcraft and suspicion throughout her small village community.
While the ending was not entirely a shock, I still enjoyed the investigation of the multiple suspects and the development of Darko's character throughout.
rachelleahdorn's review against another edition
4.0
Not bad. It's your basic detective story, but set in Ghana, which is unusual (at least for this reader). It gets a bit violent a few times and I skipped a bit of that.
I think I'd prefer to know more about a few of the characters and read a bit less of the violence--not that there was lots, just that some was pretty brutal and felt fairly gratuitous.
It's got that thing from many detective story's where the flawed hero has a violent law-ignoring streak of vigilante-ism.
I think I'd prefer to know more about a few of the characters and read a bit less of the violence--not that there was lots, just that some was pretty brutal and felt fairly gratuitous.
It's got that thing from many detective story's where the flawed hero has a violent law-ignoring streak of vigilante-ism.
dmchurch's review against another edition
When Efia, a wife of the gods, finds the body of a female medical student in the forest, Darko Dawson is called in to work the case due to his ability to speak the native language. As he pursues the case, he is also haunted to be back in the town where his mother disappeared when he was a child. Darko soon realizes that Gladys may have made powerful enemies in the local priest by resisting the tradition of brides given to him and the local healer who may have a cure for AIDS that Gladys was trying to steal. However, Darko also finds the case bringing him closer to home as he begins to suspect his aunt of lying about events both present and past.
A strong start to a promising series. Darko is a flawed but admirable man and Quartey captures the African traditions to create a strong atmosphere.
A strong start to a promising series. Darko is a flawed but admirable man and Quartey captures the African traditions to create a strong atmosphere.
raynerayne's review against another edition
3.0
Darko wasn't a character I liked: he abused his power as a police officer both off and on duty, and he claimed to love his wife oh-so-much and yet he still leered thirstily (and extremely inappropriately) at almost every woman he saw (it was so uncomfortable!). His saving grace in my eyes as a reader was how obviously in love he was with his son, Hosiah.
Quartey can write some beautiful descriptions and construct some riveting mysteries. I can say that for sure. The last two chapters of WIFE OF THE GODS were fantastic. I also loved learning about Ghana.
Quartey can write some beautiful descriptions and construct some riveting mysteries. I can say that for sure. The last two chapters of WIFE OF THE GODS were fantastic. I also loved learning about Ghana.
thereadershut's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
zzzrevel's review against another edition
4.0
I had read about this series but had not tried it
until now and I am glad I did. At first I was
feeling this was going to be a simple story
with unusual African practices, and although
there were those practices I ended up interested
in knowing about it all and it certainly did
not make for a simple murder story. The
ending was surprising and clever. Very
enjoyable. I will be back for Darko #2.
until now and I am glad I did. At first I was
feeling this was going to be a simple story
with unusual African practices, and although
there were those practices I ended up interested
in knowing about it all and it certainly did
not make for a simple murder story. The
ending was surprising and clever. Very
enjoyable. I will be back for Darko #2.