Internet fraud unearthed in series launch

International mysteries open a window to culture, politics, daily life and history — often delving into situations regular visitors would not know about.

Kwei Quartey has been doing that for years with his superior series about Chief Inspector Darko Dawson set in Ghana, where the author was born to a Black American mother and a Ghanian father.

Quartey now burrows even deeper into Ghana’s society with “The Missing American,” the launch of a new series.

Emma Djan, the 26-year-old detective constable in Accra, wants desperately to become a homicide detective like her late father. The promotion seems possible until she rebuffs the police commissioner, who tries to rape her. In retaliation, he sabotages her career and gets her fired.

But Emma gets to use her sleuthing skills when she is hired — and at a higher salary — by a local private investigative firm. Emma begins to look into the disappearance of Gordon Tilson, a lonely American widower.

Gordon traveled to Ghana to find Helena, with whom he became romantically involved after meeting online. He has sent thousands of dollars to pay for her sister’s medical bills. After learning he had been scammed, Gordon decided to stay in Ghana to help expose the fraud. Then, he vanished.

In “The Missing American,” Quartey explores the phenomenon of Sakawa, an internet fraud that incorporates religious practices and superstition. Readers will instantly recognize Sakawa scams once the various schemes are explained.

‘The Missing American’

By Kwei Quartey. Soho Crime, 432 pages, $25.95

Quartey keeps the action quiet in “The Missing American,” as he poignantly relies more on what motivates people, looking at both the scammers and their victims, and Ghana’s political arena.

Quartey’s knowledge of Ghana comes from personal experience. An American citizen through his mother, Quartey, now a physician who runs a wound care clinic in Pasadena, Calif., grew up in this nation on West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea. The family moved back to the United States when he was a teenager.

“The Missing American” should be the start of another long-running series for Quartey.

Virtual Literary Feast

Kwei Quartey is among the 12 authors participating in the 32nd Literary Feast, the annual fund-raiser of the Broward Public Library Foundation. The virtual Literary Feast begins at 7 p.m. Sept. 12. Following a

Kwei Quartey is the author of “The Missing American.”

welcome reception, underwritten by JM Family Enterprises, guests will be moved into breakout rooms with the author of their choice. In each of the breakout rooms, guests will

have the opportunity to ask questions after the author speaks.

Instead of private dinners at local homes and high-end restaurants, attendees can receive a gift box of wine and charcuterie to enjoy during the event. Tickets start at $40 for attendance only to the event, $75 for a single ticket plus gift box, and $150 for two tickets and a twoperson gift box. For tickets or additional information, visit bplfoundation.org/ literary-feast or call 954-357-7382. Links for those who sign up will be sent before the event.

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