“but this last time, when I was having dinner with you and you were telling us about it, you made another mistake. It’s always in the lying that a mistake is made.”

Trigger warning: rape, child brides

Inspector Darko Dawson is sent to investigate a murder in the Volta region of Ghana, away from his city life and family, due to his familiarity with the local language and family roots there. During his investigation, he uncovers a lot more than he set out to find, whilst facing his discomfort around the traditional practises of trokosi and fetish priests. The disappearance of his mother over 20 years ago is also brought back to the surface as Darko, now a seasoned investigator, stumbles upon a handful of clues.

In the first of a trilogy of five incredibly well-written, books, Quartey has created the Ghanaian Sherlock Holmes I didn’t know I needed to read. He’s loveable, passionate about the law and battling with anger problems that come out in the pursuit of justice. He’s self-aware but also able to brush off his mistakes with humour - ‘“I think strangle is an exaggeration”. Whilst his superiors are not impressed by his flaws, I found myself laughing often.

Whilst the plot stems from the investigation of a medical students death, it grows into so much more. It covers police brutality, fertility, infidelity, deceit and the true strength of old beliefs and traditions, such as the ability to ‘steal a womb’ and child brides. Every single character is relevant to the development of the story and each other in a skilfully delivered, action packed novel.

Ghanaian culture is packed into the book, from language to traditions. Have Google ready if, like me, you’re not so familiar.

Samuel deserved better, as did Efia and Darko’s mother. Yet Quartey left no stone unturned and delivered the best, most realistic version of justice he could. Chapter 48 made me cry but the two pages were perfect.