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.