Diandra Reviews It All

Synopsis: Katherine Yeboah’s marriage to Solomon Vanderpuye is all the talk of Accra high society. But when it becomes apparent that Katherine is infertile, Solomon’s extended family accuses her of being a witch, hounding her until the relationship is so soured Solomon feels compelled to order Katherine out of the house they shared. Alone on her last night there, Katherine is brutally murdered by an intruder.Chief Inspector Darko Dawson of the Ghanaian federal police has personal as well as professional reasons to find the killer fast: Katherine was the first cousin of his wife, Christine, who is devastated by the tragedy. As Darko investigates, he discovers that many people close to Katherine had powerful motives to kill her.

Kwei Quartey’s Death By His Grace felt like a film. This crime thriller novel deserves popcorn and a soda as you read the riveting next chapter in Darko Dawson’s investigative series. Yet, the success of this installment lies in the murder victim more than the detective.

The first part of the book is dedicated to the living HELL Katherine Vanderpuye must undergo for being infertile in Ghana. Within a year, she goes from happy newlywed to accused witch. The worst part is that this accusation is treated as legitimate, and leads to the cruel bullying and gaping loneliness that will define the last year of her life. Kwei’s writing combines conciseness with nuance. He is so clear with his details, but yet they open up vivid images, of which Katherine’s life and death cinematically play before you. Presenting the victim before her “defender” was a brilliant move because by the time Darko appears in the second half you are more than READY to start this investigation. You want to know who killed her? Was it her horribly cruel husband Solomon? How about her Bishop or ex-boyfriend lawyer who seemingly took a more “sexual” interest in Mrs. Vanderpuye? Darko does not lag in coming off as an amiable character who genuinely wants to bring about justice and lock up the “right guy”. His compassion stands out as a foundation for his intelligence, which makes you pull for him even more in figuring out who killed our girl?

Admittedly, I am not the biggest fan of crime-thrillers. There is an inherent sadness to the idea that you are about to read the death of a life, and Kwei Quartey’s knows this. It is for that reason he makes sure you love Katherine, and she does not become “the body” in a detective tale. His capacity to integrate the need for women’s empowerment and cultural criticism with the cut and casualness of a lyrical syringe has left me dumbfounded. I simply adore his writing and choices. Thus, , do yourself a favor and buy Kwei Quartey’s Death By Grace. Click Here For More Information on this Soho Press Release.