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Wife of the Gods: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.01) - 723 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Detective Inspector Darko Dawson, a good family man and a remarkably intuitive sleuth, is sent to the village of Ketanu—the site of his mother's disappearance many years ago—to solve the murder of an accomplished young AIDS worker.
While battling his own anger issues and concerns for his ailing son, Darko explores the motivations and secrets of the residents of Ketanu. It soon becomes clear that in addition to solving a recent murder, he is about to unravel the shocking truth about his mother's disappearance.
Kwei Quartey's sparkling debut novel introduces readers to a rich cast of characters, including the Trokosi—young women called Wives of the Gods—who, in order to bring good fortune to their families, are sent to live with fetish priests. Set in Ghana, with the action moving back and forth between the capital city of Accra and a small village in the Volta Region, Wife of the Gods brings the culture and beauty of its setting brilliantly to life.
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"Having been challenged to question whether #1 Ladies Detective Agency could be even remotely authentic, I went searching for more African detective fiction and found Detective Inspector Darko Dawson. You have to question a little whether Quartey's Ghana could be considered any more authentic than McCall Smith's Botswana because both have left their former homes there and both are educated Westerners writing for the English-language market. (knowing that Quartey is/was a doctor working in Montebello here in the unromantic San Gabriel Valley makes him rather less exotic than a literary Scotsman, frankly). The world he has created is much more gritty and twenty-first century than McCall Smith's Gaborone, but many of the same themes of the clash between modern and traditional values and thinking are part of the local color that makes the work "African." Conclusion: both are about as authentic as we can experience as Americans reading genre fiction. Precious Ramotswe and DI Dawson could be imagined to live on the same continent, though Quartey's world is no comedy of manners. In fact, I'd give bonus points to McCall Smith for trying to get inside the mind of a detective who isn't a male urban policeman.Comparisons aside, I liked the detailed world of Darko Dawson. The geography and culture were fascinating. Dawson has the usual array of baggage that burdens his detective psyche, family problems and trouble controlling his temper that is an Achilles heel. The second quarter of the book drags under the weight of all the characters and description, but if you persist to the halfway mark, it comes together and the revelation of the murderer unravels in a satisfying way. it is all rather too neatly wrapped up and there are a few too many standard archetypes among the characters, examples are the elder mentor cop and the small town bully sheriff. It maintains the 4 star rating because of the vivid characters that could only be in a Ghanaian murder mystery and whom I could only get to know through this author."
— Cheryl (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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"Wife of the Gods is a gem. Memorable fiction is always about discovery, and this fascinating debut delivers much that is new.”
— Stephen White, New York Times bestselling author of The Siege -
With a crisp English accent and deep but deliberate projection, Simon Prebble is a boon to any production.... And blends beautifully with Quartey's style.
— Publishers Weekly Audio Review -
“A sensitive novel of powerful family passions…It is a complex mystery and with a detective that I hope we meet again.”
— Anne Perry, New York Times bestselling author of Buckingham Palace Gardens -
“The uncommon grace and style of the writing will engender comparisons with Alexander McCall Smith’s Botswana stories, but this novel has more grit.”
— Library Journal (starred review) -
“Engrossing…Quartey…renders a compelling cast of characters inhabiting a world precariously perched between old and new.”
— Booklist (starred review) -
“With a crisp English accent and deep but deliberate projection, Simon Prebble is a boon to any production…And blends beautifully with Quartey’s style.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Particularly moving is Prebble’s delivery of passages from the murdered woman’s diary…The bittersweet story should have wide appeal for its unique story and perfect presentation.”
— AudioFile
Awards
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An AudioFile Earphones Award winner
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A Library Journal Best Audiobook
Wife of the Gods Listener Reviews
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" Another diverse detective to become familiar with, this one from Ghana. I liked the character of Detective Darko Dawson, a man not always in control of his wits and emotions, but basically an honest character fighting for what he thinks is right in society. Like Alexander McCall Smith's Botswana, the author makes Ghana a character in the book. It was interesting to learn about a society still struggling towards modernity. The author's descriptions of the local food will make your mouth water. The author's writing style is a bit awkward in spots, but overall this is an excellent mystery that will leave you looking forward to further adventures of Darko Dawson. I had some idea of who the killer was, but the author still surprised with a good twist at the end that you wouldn't expect. "
— Bruce, 2/16/2014 -
" Set within the framework of a murder mystery, the story offers a fascinating, colorfully descriptive look at how the many societal contradictions in modern Ghana alternately clash and coexist. Although a quick read, the imagery lingers. "
— Sherry, 2/6/2014 -
" I found this lacking. It had a good plot idea but no follow through,. it was predictable, the worst thing in a mysery. Also felt the whole wife of the gods issue was lost. "
— Karen, 1/30/2014 -
" Darko is a police inspector in Ghana who gets called in to remote village where his aunt lives to investigate the murder of an AIDS worker. Deals with interesting customs in Ghana most Westerners aren't aware of. "
— Marci, 1/29/2014 -
" I'm not much of a mystery reader normally, but I liked the setting of this book and the attempt by the author to educate the reader about some issues in villages of Ghana. "
— Nicoal, 1/19/2014 -
" You can read my thoughts here. (4.25/5) "
— Joy, 1/16/2014 -
" I am really enjoyed the book and am looking forward to the author's next book. "
— Diane, 11/25/2013 -
" Recommend new author and detective character Dawson-new book out in June or July 2011 w/same character "
— Wendy, 9/13/2013 -
" Good new mystery writer, with a unique locale. Look forward to more from him. "
— Sue, 9/2/2013 -
" I loved the first in what I hope will be a long series. Engrossing, witty and well written novel. Enjoy! "
— Dolldiva, 8/19/2013 -
" Set in Ghana, a murder mystery which is well-written and entertaining. "
— Linden, 8/5/2013 -
" Couldn't wait to read it each night. "
— Hiltonsykes, 6/15/2013 -
" This book was an easy read and it kept me entertained, but the writing is unexceptional and the story line feels shallow at times. A good beach book. "
— Rochelle, 5/30/2013 -
" Great read but I still don't get why the book is called Wife of the gods. "
— Anita, 10/14/2012 -
" Interesting mystery and setting. I liked the characters. Writer needs a little more experience. "
— Helen, 2/15/2012 -
" I was drawn to this book because of the Ghana culture descriptions. My friend had spent two years in Accra and her reports of life there made the read relevant to me. "
— Barbara, 1/6/2012 -
" This was a murder mystery but also horrific things that happened to some of the young women "
— Cathy, 12/18/2011 -
" This is a gritter look at West Africa (Ghana) than Alexander McCall Smith's series. Detective Darko Dawson has to explore the his village of Ketanu to investigate a student accused of murder. At the same time, he discovers the reason his mother vanished from his life 25 years earlier. "
— Nancy, 6/14/2011 -
" Interesting setting & story. The large number (seriously, at least 22) of characters with first, last and nicknames made me miss a key point, because I forgot who a certain person was! The main character is flawed & it will be interesting to see his development. "
— Lauren, 4/5/2011 -
" Detective story set in Ghana. Started out slow but picked up. "
— Cindy, 3/7/2011 -
" It was an interesting look at the cultures in rural Ghana. The reader was really good! "
— Christie, 2/22/2011 -
" Interesting and fun book. It's a mystery set in rural Ghana. I would give it 3.5 stars. "
— Shannon, 2/18/2011 -
" A murder mystery, set in Ghana. "
— Chanpheng, 2/8/2011 -
" I enjoyed reading this book which my friend Linda recommended. The ending was sad. I look forward to the author's next book. "
— Mariana, 1/24/2011 -
" Murder mystery set in Ghana, what more could one want! "
— Sarah, 1/7/2011 -
" Desperate audiobook choice again. A mystery set in Africa, but leaves you with no sense of happiness. "
— Diane, 1/1/2011 -
" Good mystery from modern-day Africa. I was captivated by the language and plot. You will be surprised at who did it. <br/> "
— Debbie, 12/8/2010
About Kwei Quartey
Kwei Quartey is a crime-fiction writer and retired physician based in Pasadena, California. His novel Wife of the Gods made the Los Angeles Times bestseller list in 2009. The following year, the National Book Club voted him Best Male Author. He has two mystery series set in Ghana: the Detective Inspector Darko Dawson investigations and the Emma Djan investigations. He was born in Ghana, West Africa, to a Ghanaian father and a Black American mother, both of whom were lecturers at the University of Ghana.
About Simon Prebble
Simon Prebble, a British-born performer, is a stage and television actor and veteran narrator of some three hundred audiobooks. As one of AudioFile’s Golden Voices, he has received thirty-seven Earphones Awards and won the prestigious Audie in 2010. He lives in New York.