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bookgardendc's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Violence
Moderate: Rape, Slavery, and Suicide
okinmybook's review
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
2.75
liketheday's review against another edition
3.0
Wife of the Gods is a pretty neat little mystery novel set in present-day Ghana, where Western culture is starting to move in on traditional ways. When a woman in a remote village is found dead in the woods, a detective from Accra ends up being called in (for various reasons) to take care of the investigation.
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littletaiko's review against another edition
3.0
Set in Ghana this mystery provided a mixed look at belief in modern medicine and the rituals of the past. Darko Dawson may be a bit rough around the edges but he has a big heart and will do anything to protect his family and those he feels are being neglected. Looking forward to more in the series.
spudsimple's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars rounded down because of (duh) misogyny.
This had so much potential. Our fair narrator has a bit of an arrogant old boy vibe about him and I was feeling ok about it, because the book appeared to be about the struggle of rural African women in the context of a crime novel and he’ll probably have an awakening of some kind. Well, about half way through he had an awakening alright...in his pants! There was all of a sudden weird and gratuitous objectification of women and, natch, a woman went crazy out of jealousy over a mediocre man and murdered several people, including her own sister. Ugh, old trope new continent.
This had so much potential. Our fair narrator has a bit of an arrogant old boy vibe about him and I was feeling ok about it, because the book appeared to be about the struggle of rural African women in the context of a crime novel and he’ll probably have an awakening of some kind. Well, about half way through he had an awakening alright...in his pants! There was all of a sudden weird and gratuitous objectification of women and, natch, a woman went crazy out of jealousy over a mediocre man and murdered several people, including her own sister. Ugh, old trope new continent.
bkdrgn303's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first in what appears to be a series of mysteries featuring D. I. Darko Dawson of Accra, Ghana. Because he speaks the language, Dawson is dispatched to the bush to help solve the murder of a young and beautiful medical student. Tied up in all of this is the mystery of the disappearance of Dawson's own mother in the very same village more than 20 years ago. While this book is a bit loose in spots, it holds together well enough in the end. In this first book, Darko Dawson is not perfect and at times he isn't even very likeable but he is smart and intuitive and I think that given time, the author will mold him into a complex and very human character. I'll definitely be looking for subsequent books y Kwei Quartey featuring Darko Dawson.
joyful24's review against another edition
5.0
This was a great read. I like the portrait of "modern" Ghana with its colonial and traditional ways trying to find a place along with modernity. The language flowed swiftly. The characters were nicely presented. The story was phenomonal! The resolution was well craftedd.
liberrydude's review against another edition
4.0
Another page turner that I couldn't put down. This is the first in the series and it was better than the second book. Darko is a good police officer but he does have some lapses in judgment especially when he returns to visit family for an unrelated case that soon becomes all too "related." We see a glimpse into rural Africa and witchcraft and it's not pretty. But what happens here is the same everywhere; envy and jealousy combining with ignorance eventually result in murder(s). The ending is emotional and cathartic. Looking forward to the third one due out in 2012.
jenpurlteach's review against another edition
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this mystery set in Ghana! I learned a lot from the descriptions of the different Ghanaian religious beliefs that drove this story. I liked the main character Darko and was shocked at some of his passionate, impulsive choices, but it made him interesting. If there’s another story about Detective Inspector Dawson, I’m going to see if I can get it.