The Missing American

By: Kwei Quartey

Narrated by: Robin Miles

Accra private investigator Emma Djan's first missing persons case will lead her to the darkest depths of the email scams and fetish priests in Ghana, the world's internet capital.

When her dreams of rising through the Accra police ranks like her late father crash around her, 26-year-old Emma Djan is unsure what will become of her career. Through a sympathetic former colleague, Emma gets an interview with a private detective agency that takes on cases of missing persons, theft, and infidelity. It's not the future she imagined, but it's her best option.

Meanwhile, Gordon Tilson, a middle-aged widower in Washington, DC, has found solace in an online community after his wife's passing. Through the support group, he's even met a young Ghanaian widow he's come to care about. When her sister gets into a car accident, he sends her thousands of dollars to cover the hospital bill - to the horror of his only son, Derek. Then Gordon decides to surprise his new love by paying her a visit - and disappears. Fearing for his father's life, Derek follows him across the world to Ghana, internet capital of the world, where he and Emma will find themselves deep in a world of sakawa scams, fetish priests, and those willing to kill to protect their secrets.

©2020 Kwei Quartey (P)2020 Recorded Books

Wonderful narration brought Ghana alive

Kudos to the narrator of this murder mystery. She made me feel I was in Ghana listening first-hand to the characters in the story. The plot was perfectly acceptable but the local touches lifted the book to a higher level.

Internet Scammers

This is an fictional look at how internet scams are worked out of Ghana. There are lots of shady characters, goods guys pretending to be bad, and honest people acting honestly. Political assassination, police corruption at the highest levels, everything that makes a good story.

So many coincidences

I enjoyed this book, but cannot get over the very many coincidences. The topic was quite interesting, and I loved that it was in Ghana - never before read a book situated there. The perspective of the female characters was a bit painful (mentioning periods, really?). Nonetheless, I wouldn't consider it time wasted.

struggled to finish it.

It was interesting, but impaired by the melodramatic reading style and deus ex machina moments.

Great book

This book had all kinda twice to turn. Arthur sum up all the characters though out the book.

Trip to new land while solving a mystery

While international travel is so daunting, this book is a great escape to a completely different part of the world. And it's a good reminder that there are many ways to be in this world. Even minor characters have some depth.

I loved how there was just enough detail to get the picture of the many crimes without being sordid. I also very much appreciate having a heroine who is flawed and vulnerable, but not stupid or inept, although some of her decisions are questionable. Thank you for that!

Terrific mystery/thriller

I am so sad this book is done. The characters, the plot twists, the narration all combine to make a fantastic listen. If you love cozy mysteries- you’ll love this book!

Interesting story about a country I know little about.

Not a “page turner” but I did keep wanting more. Took a little while to get going, but once it did, I was hooked. Fantastic performance.

Long but Good

I didn't think I'd make it to the end but I did. The ending was interesting. I was able to predict part of the ending. Keep listening through the end...it was really good.

Excellent Storytelling and Narration

Honestly, this book is so much fun! Billed as a mystery, it is also a glimpse into Ghana-the culture, the country. And, there a woman who is such a fitting protagonist!!!

Jolly well done!