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Emma Djan Investigation #3
Last Seen in Lapaz
When a whirlwind romance leads to a brutal murder and the disappearance of a young Nigerian woman, PI Emma Djan resorts to dangerous undercover work to track her down in Accra. Just as things at work are slowing down for PI Emma Djan, an old friend of her boss’s asks for help locating his missing daughter. According to her father, Ngozi had a bright future ahead of her when she became secretive and withdrawn. Suddenly, all she wanted to do was be with her handsome new beau, Femi, instead of attending law school in the fall. So when she disappears from her parents’ house in Nigeria the middle of a summer night, they immediately suspect Femi was behind it and have reason to believe the pair has fled to Accra. During Emma’s first week on the case, Femi is found murdered at his opulent residence in Accra. There are no signs of Ngozi at the scene, and fearing the worst, Emma digs further, discovering that Femi was part of a network of sex traffickers across West Africa. Emma must figure out which of Femi’s many enemies killed him, but more urgently, she must find Ngozi before she, too, is murdered in cold blood.
360 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2023
46 people are currently reading
9298 people want to read
About the author
Kwei Quartey
17 books762 followersKWEI QUARTEY
Biography
Kwei Quartey is a crime fiction writer and physician based in Pasadena, California. In 2018, having practiced medicine for more than 15 years while simultaneously working as a writer, Quartey finally retired from medical practice to become a full-time novelist. Prior to that, though, he had balanced the two professions by dedicating the early morning hours to writing before beginning each day in his clinic.
Quartey was born in Ghana, West Africa, to a Ghanaian father and Black American mother, both of whom were lecturers at the University of Ghana. Quartey describes how his family’s home was full of hundreds of books, both fiction and nonfiction, which inspired him to write novellas as early as the age of eight or nine. By then, Quartey was certain he wanted to be an author.
But his interests shifted by the time he was a teenager, when he decided he wanted to be a doctor. Quartey began on a science-to-medicine track in secondary school. After the death of his father, Quartey’s mother returned to the United States. By then, Quartey had already begun medical school in Ghana. Transferring to a medical school in the United States wasn’t easy, but he successfully gained admission to Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, DC.
After graduation from his residency training in Internal Medicine, Kwei Quartey returned to his love of writing. He went to a UCLA extension course in creative writing, and wrote two novels while in a writing group that met every Wednesday evening. But it would be a few years yet before Quartey would create the Inspector Darko Dawson series.
As a crime fiction writer, Kwei made the Los Angeles Times Bestseller List in 2009. The following year, the GOG National Book Club voted him Best Male Author. The five Inspector Darko Dawson novels, set in Ghana, are WIFE OF THE GODS, CHILDREN OF THE STREET, MURDER AT CAPE THREE POINTS, GOLD OF OUR FATHERS, and DEATH BY HIS GRACE.
Two novels, KAMILA and DEATH AT THE VOYAGER HOTEL (e-book) are non-Darko books.
In January 2020, Quartey’s new detective series launched to critical acclaim with THE MISSING AMERICAN, the debut of the Emma Djan Investigations and the introduction of the first West African female private eye in fiction. The second in the series, SLEEP WELL, MY LADY, was released January 12, 2021, immediately garnering attention for its unusual style of time shifts in relation to the crime.
THE MISSING AMERICAN was nominated for the 2021 Edgar Allan Poe Award for best novel, and won the 2021 Shamus Award for Best First PI Novel.
LAST SEEN IN LAPAZ, the third Emma Djan novel, was released February 2023, and the fourth, THE WHITEWASHED TOMBS, is expected 2024.
Biography
Kwei Quartey is a crime fiction writer and physician based in Pasadena, California. In 2018, having practiced medicine for more than 15 years while simultaneously working as a writer, Quartey finally retired from medical practice to become a full-time novelist. Prior to that, though, he had balanced the two professions by dedicating the early morning hours to writing before beginning each day in his clinic.
Quartey was born in Ghana, West Africa, to a Ghanaian father and Black American mother, both of whom were lecturers at the University of Ghana. Quartey describes how his family’s home was full of hundreds of books, both fiction and nonfiction, which inspired him to write novellas as early as the age of eight or nine. By then, Quartey was certain he wanted to be an author.
But his interests shifted by the time he was a teenager, when he decided he wanted to be a doctor. Quartey began on a science-to-medicine track in secondary school. After the death of his father, Quartey’s mother returned to the United States. By then, Quartey had already begun medical school in Ghana. Transferring to a medical school in the United States wasn’t easy, but he successfully gained admission to Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, DC.
After graduation from his residency training in Internal Medicine, Kwei Quartey returned to his love of writing. He went to a UCLA extension course in creative writing, and wrote two novels while in a writing group that met every Wednesday evening. But it would be a few years yet before Quartey would create the Inspector Darko Dawson series.
As a crime fiction writer, Kwei made the Los Angeles Times Bestseller List in 2009. The following year, the GOG National Book Club voted him Best Male Author. The five Inspector Darko Dawson novels, set in Ghana, are WIFE OF THE GODS, CHILDREN OF THE STREET, MURDER AT CAPE THREE POINTS, GOLD OF OUR FATHERS, and DEATH BY HIS GRACE.
Two novels, KAMILA and DEATH AT THE VOYAGER HOTEL (e-book) are non-Darko books.
In January 2020, Quartey’s new detective series launched to critical acclaim with THE MISSING AMERICAN, the debut of the Emma Djan Investigations and the introduction of the first West African female private eye in fiction. The second in the series, SLEEP WELL, MY LADY, was released January 12, 2021, immediately garnering attention for its unusual style of time shifts in relation to the crime.
THE MISSING AMERICAN was nominated for the 2021 Edgar Allan Poe Award for best novel, and won the 2021 Shamus Award for Best First PI Novel.
LAST SEEN IN LAPAZ, the third Emma Djan novel, was released February 2023, and the fourth, THE WHITEWASHED TOMBS, is expected 2024.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
February 23, 2023
CW human trafficking, some sexualized violence (mostly "off-screen").
Last Seen in Lapaz is my first Kwei Quartey book, and I've already ordered another. Yes, his work is that nteresting, that original. He has two mystery series out: the Emma Djan series (Last Seen is Lapaz is the third, and most recent, book in this series) and the Darko Dawson series (I've just ordered volume 1).
The action in Last Seen in Lapaz alternates between Ghana and Nigeria and moves forward and backward in time, handing out key bits of information in ways that can require regular rethinkings of the narrative. The mystery at the heart of this novel is the disappearance of the daughter of a Nigerian diplomat currently posted in Ghana. She's run off with an unsuitable man, he's been found dead, and her parents have hired a PI team to try to find her.
Last Seen is Lapaz differs structurally from most mystery novels I've read. It's narrated in third person, but the focus of the narrators shifts regularly, drawing characters forward one by one and spending ample time on their stories. Together these narratives flesh out what becomes a single story.
Characters include Ngozi, the missing daughter; Femi, the man she ran off with; the operators of a pair of hotel-bordellos in Ghana; Nigerian women who have wound up working in these hotel-bordellos with varying degrees of choice; a human trafficker; a couple attempting the migrant journey
from Nigeria to Italy; a priest who spent two years falsely imprisoned; and the PIs searching for Ngozi.
I gather that Quarty tends to build his books around social issues, as well as ongoing characters, and that is clear when one considers the many people whose stories will intertwine in Last Seen in Lapaz. I've been reading some Nigerian and Ghanaian fiction for the last two years or so, but still have a great deal to learn—and Last Seen is Lapaz is my first mystery novel from that region. I particularly enjoyed the mix of settings and cultures in this book that gave me a sense of some of the interactions in that region that require multiple kinds of skills and knowledge.
If you're interested in world literature, mystery novels, and/or novels that successfully combine a mix of characters and narratives, you'll find Last Seen in Lapaz a very satisfying read. I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss+; the opinions are my own.
Last Seen in Lapaz is my first Kwei Quartey book, and I've already ordered another. Yes, his work is that nteresting, that original. He has two mystery series out: the Emma Djan series (Last Seen is Lapaz is the third, and most recent, book in this series) and the Darko Dawson series (I've just ordered volume 1).
The action in Last Seen in Lapaz alternates between Ghana and Nigeria and moves forward and backward in time, handing out key bits of information in ways that can require regular rethinkings of the narrative. The mystery at the heart of this novel is the disappearance of the daughter of a Nigerian diplomat currently posted in Ghana. She's run off with an unsuitable man, he's been found dead, and her parents have hired a PI team to try to find her.
Last Seen is Lapaz differs structurally from most mystery novels I've read. It's narrated in third person, but the focus of the narrators shifts regularly, drawing characters forward one by one and spending ample time on their stories. Together these narratives flesh out what becomes a single story.
Characters include Ngozi, the missing daughter; Femi, the man she ran off with; the operators of a pair of hotel-bordellos in Ghana; Nigerian women who have wound up working in these hotel-bordellos with varying degrees of choice; a human trafficker; a couple attempting the migrant journey
from Nigeria to Italy; a priest who spent two years falsely imprisoned; and the PIs searching for Ngozi.
I gather that Quarty tends to build his books around social issues, as well as ongoing characters, and that is clear when one considers the many people whose stories will intertwine in Last Seen in Lapaz. I've been reading some Nigerian and Ghanaian fiction for the last two years or so, but still have a great deal to learn—and Last Seen is Lapaz is my first mystery novel from that region. I particularly enjoyed the mix of settings and cultures in this book that gave me a sense of some of the interactions in that region that require multiple kinds of skills and knowledge.
If you're interested in world literature, mystery novels, and/or novels that successfully combine a mix of characters and narratives, you'll find Last Seen in Lapaz a very satisfying read. I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss+; the opinions are my own.
August 18, 2022
P I Emma Djan returns in Last Seen in Lapaz, a novel written by Ghanian author Kwei Quartey,
This is the third book in the series in which this female private investigator solves a mystery that takes us on a journey through many twists and turns and multiple fascinating characters that inhabit West Africa.
In Nigeria, Djan is working to find the daughter of old family friends. The parents believe that she left to be with her wealthy boyfriend. Then the boyfriend turns up dead.
It turns out that the boyfriend was part of a sex-trafficking network in which girls from Nigeria and Ghana became unwittingly enslaved. Djan travels the sordid world in her continued search to find the missing daughter before she, too, turns up dead.
Quartey always included disturbing social issues in his novels and this one follows suite. In his capable hands Djan is a strong woman working in a male-centric environment who is quite human and determined. Her social conscience is strong and her work causes her great distress.
The landscape is quite real as are all of his characters. I never want his books to end and upon finishing Last Seen in Lapaz I began to hunger for the rest. Instead I am going back and rereading the first in the series, The Missing American.
This is the third book in the series in which this female private investigator solves a mystery that takes us on a journey through many twists and turns and multiple fascinating characters that inhabit West Africa.
In Nigeria, Djan is working to find the daughter of old family friends. The parents believe that she left to be with her wealthy boyfriend. Then the boyfriend turns up dead.
It turns out that the boyfriend was part of a sex-trafficking network in which girls from Nigeria and Ghana became unwittingly enslaved. Djan travels the sordid world in her continued search to find the missing daughter before she, too, turns up dead.
Quartey always included disturbing social issues in his novels and this one follows suite. In his capable hands Djan is a strong woman working in a male-centric environment who is quite human and determined. Her social conscience is strong and her work causes her great distress.
The landscape is quite real as are all of his characters. I never want his books to end and upon finishing Last Seen in Lapaz I began to hunger for the rest. Instead I am going back and rereading the first in the series, The Missing American.
November 9, 2022
Naive Ngozi falls in love with Femi,an ex-convict and elopes with him to the land where their love began, Ghana.
Ngozi’s father unaware of the love affair of his daughter goes to Ghana where he was a Diplomat to look for his missing daughter. At his wit’s end, he employs the service of his friend and former college mate who runs a Private Investigation Agency for assistance.
PI Emma is assigned to the case with the information of Ngozi last spotted shopping at Lapaz.
The death of Femi, Ngozi’s boyfriend puts Emma on the edge to find Ngozi on time and alive. There’s a lot to uncover in this case as Emma makes it a point to find out Femi’s killer as well.
The White House,holds answers to a lot of questions which Emma is keen to finding the answers. Will PI Emma come to the rescue once again?
I’m blown away!!!
Set in Ghana and Nigeria, the author explores themes like sex trade, human trafficking, religion, friendship…
📖Plot development - Outstanding
📖Character development- Out of this world
📖Writing style- Impeccable
The brilliance of Emma is worth commending.
I don’t want to give away any spoilers so all I can say is watch out for this book, let it be on your radar and get a copy once it’s out!!!
I highly recommend this book and all books by Kwei Quartey especially the first two books in this series.
I want to be Oliver Twist and ask for more of this series.
Thank you for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
“Truth never sell;only lies.”
“Simple assignments are often not simple.”
Ngozi’s father unaware of the love affair of his daughter goes to Ghana where he was a Diplomat to look for his missing daughter. At his wit’s end, he employs the service of his friend and former college mate who runs a Private Investigation Agency for assistance.
PI Emma is assigned to the case with the information of Ngozi last spotted shopping at Lapaz.
The death of Femi, Ngozi’s boyfriend puts Emma on the edge to find Ngozi on time and alive. There’s a lot to uncover in this case as Emma makes it a point to find out Femi’s killer as well.
The White House,holds answers to a lot of questions which Emma is keen to finding the answers. Will PI Emma come to the rescue once again?
I’m blown away!!!
Set in Ghana and Nigeria, the author explores themes like sex trade, human trafficking, religion, friendship…
📖Plot development - Outstanding
📖Character development- Out of this world
📖Writing style- Impeccable
The brilliance of Emma is worth commending.
I don’t want to give away any spoilers so all I can say is watch out for this book, let it be on your radar and get a copy once it’s out!!!
I highly recommend this book and all books by Kwei Quartey especially the first two books in this series.
I want to be Oliver Twist and ask for more of this series.
Thank you for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
“Truth never sell;only lies.”
“Simple assignments are often not simple.”
December 15, 2022
This is the 3rd in the series with PI Emma Djan set in Ghana and the first one I’ve read in this series. A missing Nigerian woman disappears from her home. It’s presumed with her boyfriend Femi. The father at wits end goes to the PI agency owned by Sowah an old college friend and asks them to help find his daughter. Emma and Jojo are assigned to the case and their first lead is the daughter was las seen in LaPaz. The next development is Femi is found shot dead but there is no sign of Ngozi.
There is a lot of background provided on Femi and others he was involved with which help with solving of the disappeared of Ngozi.
Lots of description of Ghana, Nigeria, the sex trade, human trafficking and friendship.
Kept my interest and will be looking for the first two in this series. This was provided for a fair and honest review.
There is a lot of background provided on Femi and others he was involved with which help with solving of the disappeared of Ngozi.
Lots of description of Ghana, Nigeria, the sex trade, human trafficking and friendship.
Kept my interest and will be looking for the first two in this series. This was provided for a fair and honest review.
November 27, 2022
I have long been a fan of Kwei Quartey's novels and am especially fond of this series, which features private detective Emma Djan. What distinguishes Quartey's books from so many others' are the strength of his writing, his plotting and character development, and his increasing focus on important societal issues. Last Seen in Lapaz focuses on human trafficking in West Africa (Nigeria and Ghana) - both sexual trafficking and the exploitation of humans who seek to migrate from their countries. Emma's case begins with her assignment to find the missing daughter of a Nigerian diplomat, who is stationed in Accra, Ghana, but it soon expands to encompass the search for a murderer. The book is filled with activities that some readers might find offensive (murders, beatings, kidnapping, enslaved prostitution, and more) but these reflect the realities of life and Quartey presents them to his readers undoctored. The author often inserts West African dialect (defined in a glossary at the end of the novel) that enhance exposure to the area's culture. Readers who are willing or even eager to learn more about the realities of life in West Africa will be well rewarded.
Thanks to NetGalley and Soho Crime for providing an advanced readers copy in exchange for an objective review.
Thanks to NetGalley and Soho Crime for providing an advanced readers copy in exchange for an objective review.
February 12, 2023
Wow… Wow… OMG… What a great freaking book! Emma is a detective she is in a new relationship with a guy named Courage, who is a Ghana police detective. When Emma goes into the agency she sees a well-dressed man and he’s asking for her boss it isn’t until later that her boss tells her he’s an old friend and his daughter is missing. She was seeing a man name Femi Who was older and on liked by the parents and now they’re both missing. When they find out more about Femi nauseous whereabouts looks so much Bleaker but when he is found dead even Emma starts to lose hope. This case will affect Emma and lots of ways she was already questioning her devotion to the Catholic Church and the people she meets while investigating this case will give her a whole new perspective. I love this book… So much!!! I love that Emma goes to church I loved her with Courage, her relationship with her mom the smart intelligent dialogue the way the book flowed so nicely I just love this book so much a definite five star read! If this is a serious Count me in on absolutely love this book and I know I said that but do let me say they have some triggers like sexual trafficking, murder, ET see but if you can deal with that do your self a favor and read this book. I have never heard of this author before but have already downloaded another book by her. She is truly a talented author that more people should know about. Please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.ourage
January 16, 2023
I liked this book a lot. An interesting (albeit sad) story artfully woven together. Much more interesting than if the author had laid things out chronologically. Recommended reading!
I’d like to thank the publisher for making this book available in a Goodreads giveaway.
I’d like to thank the publisher for making this book available in a Goodreads giveaway.
December 27, 2022
I received this book free as an ARC and felt obligated to finish it and write a review. Otherwise, I wouldn't have bothered to even finish it. It looks like I may so far be the only one that hasn't liked it, but oh well.
I have read the author's previous series (Darko Dawson) and liked the first four a lot. The fifth one was a disaster as far as I was concerned. Between that book and the author's comments and attitude about it, I swore that I would never spend another dime on his books. So far I haven't, and this one certainly is not going to change that.
I entered the giveaway thinking that if I did win a book, it would give me a chance to see if the author had went back to his previously wonderful writing without spending my money. He hasn't. This is the third book in the series and I admittedly haven't read the first two. I thought if I liked it, I would pick those two up. That's not ever going to happen.
The first part of the book (nine short chapters) deal with the detective and I thought it was actually pretty good. A guy is murdered and his girlfriend might have been kidnapped and sold by sex traffickers. It was pretty interesting.
The second part of the book goes back in time to when the murdered guy is alive. It is about what he was doing, how he got involved with sex trafficking and running a prostitution ring. It basically shows his life and what led up to the murder and kidnapping. I was horribly bored, couldn't care less about the despicable guy (who is a terrible person and makes you feel like he deserved to be murdered) and wasn't really even interested in the fate of girlfriend.
I trudged through this book. My boredom was not helped by the constant slang or pidgin or whatever the bad guys constantly spoke to each other. Yes, this might be realistic, but I don't like having to spend 20 minutes trying to decipher each paragraph and figure out what they are saying to each other. Very annoying!
By the time the book got back to the present time and the detective, I was way past the point of being interested at all. It was a very torturous read for me. Like I said, I would never have even finished it except for the fact that I felt obligated to read and review it.
Another huge disappointment from this author. I will definitely not be spending any money on his books, nor will I even enter any more giveaways for them. I have a hard time believing that this is the same guy who wrote Wife of the Gods and Children of the Street. They were wonderful and this is so . . .not.
I have read the author's previous series (Darko Dawson) and liked the first four a lot. The fifth one was a disaster as far as I was concerned. Between that book and the author's comments and attitude about it, I swore that I would never spend another dime on his books. So far I haven't, and this one certainly is not going to change that.
I entered the giveaway thinking that if I did win a book, it would give me a chance to see if the author had went back to his previously wonderful writing without spending my money. He hasn't. This is the third book in the series and I admittedly haven't read the first two. I thought if I liked it, I would pick those two up. That's not ever going to happen.
The first part of the book (nine short chapters) deal with the detective and I thought it was actually pretty good. A guy is murdered and his girlfriend might have been kidnapped and sold by sex traffickers. It was pretty interesting.
The second part of the book goes back in time to when the murdered guy is alive. It is about what he was doing, how he got involved with sex trafficking and running a prostitution ring. It basically shows his life and what led up to the murder and kidnapping. I was horribly bored, couldn't care less about the despicable guy (who is a terrible person and makes you feel like he deserved to be murdered) and wasn't really even interested in the fate of girlfriend.
I trudged through this book. My boredom was not helped by the constant slang or pidgin or whatever the bad guys constantly spoke to each other. Yes, this might be realistic, but I don't like having to spend 20 minutes trying to decipher each paragraph and figure out what they are saying to each other. Very annoying!
By the time the book got back to the present time and the detective, I was way past the point of being interested at all. It was a very torturous read for me. Like I said, I would never have even finished it except for the fact that I felt obligated to read and review it.
Another huge disappointment from this author. I will definitely not be spending any money on his books, nor will I even enter any more giveaways for them. I have a hard time believing that this is the same guy who wrote Wife of the Gods and Children of the Street. They were wonderful and this is so . . .not.
February 9, 2023
Excellent novel - pleads for cinematic transition!
California author Kwei Quartry earned his medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine, his degree in creative writing from UCLA, and now practices medicine and writes award winning crime fiction novels - in series (Inspector Darko Dawson Mysteries series and the Emma Djan series) and standalone novels. Dr. Quartey was born and raised in Ghana - the locale of this excellent series of which LAST SEEN IN LAPAZ is the third volume.
Preparing for this novel Dr. Quartey interviewed immigrant West African sex workers from Nigeria, Niger and Ghana, gathering significant facts about human trafficking, the theme of this story. Opening with further insights into his primary character, Private Investigator Emma Djan, he writes, ‘Awake no, Emma listened to Courage’s slow, rhythmic breathing beside her. It was five in the morning, her normal waking time, but she stayed in his bed awhile smiling as she thought about last night and how much fun she had had with Courage. It had been quite unlike her proverbial “first time” many months ago when Courage had repeatedly asked her before, during and after the act if she was okay…’ Emma’s sensitivity is wisely underlined as the story begins. The searing action of this fine novel is condensed well: ‘Just as things at work are slowing down for PI Emma Djan, an old friend of her boss’s asks for help locating his missing daughter. According to her father, Ngozi had a bright future ahead of her when she became secretive and withdrawn. Suddenly, all she wanted to do was be with her handsome new beau, Femi, instead of attending law school in the fall. So when she disappears from her parents’ house in Nigeria the middle of a summer night, they immediately suspect Femi was behind it and have reason to believe the pair has fled to Accra. During Emma’s first week on the case, Femi is found murdered at his opulent residence in Accra. There are no signs of Ngozi at the scene, and fearing the worst, Emma digs further, discovering that Femi was part of a network of sex traffickers across West Africa. Emma must figure out which of Femi’s many enemies killed him, but more urgently, she must find Ngozi before she, too, is murdered in cold blood.’
Vastly entertaining with exceptionally well-written prose, this novel delivers a powerful message that further alerts us to the inhumanity of sex trafficking. Bravo!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
California author Kwei Quartry earned his medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine, his degree in creative writing from UCLA, and now practices medicine and writes award winning crime fiction novels - in series (Inspector Darko Dawson Mysteries series and the Emma Djan series) and standalone novels. Dr. Quartey was born and raised in Ghana - the locale of this excellent series of which LAST SEEN IN LAPAZ is the third volume.
Preparing for this novel Dr. Quartey interviewed immigrant West African sex workers from Nigeria, Niger and Ghana, gathering significant facts about human trafficking, the theme of this story. Opening with further insights into his primary character, Private Investigator Emma Djan, he writes, ‘Awake no, Emma listened to Courage’s slow, rhythmic breathing beside her. It was five in the morning, her normal waking time, but she stayed in his bed awhile smiling as she thought about last night and how much fun she had had with Courage. It had been quite unlike her proverbial “first time” many months ago when Courage had repeatedly asked her before, during and after the act if she was okay…’ Emma’s sensitivity is wisely underlined as the story begins. The searing action of this fine novel is condensed well: ‘Just as things at work are slowing down for PI Emma Djan, an old friend of her boss’s asks for help locating his missing daughter. According to her father, Ngozi had a bright future ahead of her when she became secretive and withdrawn. Suddenly, all she wanted to do was be with her handsome new beau, Femi, instead of attending law school in the fall. So when she disappears from her parents’ house in Nigeria the middle of a summer night, they immediately suspect Femi was behind it and have reason to believe the pair has fled to Accra. During Emma’s first week on the case, Femi is found murdered at his opulent residence in Accra. There are no signs of Ngozi at the scene, and fearing the worst, Emma digs further, discovering that Femi was part of a network of sex traffickers across West Africa. Emma must figure out which of Femi’s many enemies killed him, but more urgently, she must find Ngozi before she, too, is murdered in cold blood.’
Vastly entertaining with exceptionally well-written prose, this novel delivers a powerful message that further alerts us to the inhumanity of sex trafficking. Bravo!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
February 4, 2023
Last Seen in Lapaz is a hard-hitting story that unfolds slowly and dispassionately, almost as though author Kwei Quartey had to keep a distance between himself and the brutality that can threaten to overwhelm these pages.
When her dreams of a career in the police force were dashed, twenty-six-year-old Emma Djan found that she has a knack for being a private investigator, and she needs all of her skills to find missing eighteen-year-old Ngozi as well as the killer of Ngozi's boyfriend, Femi.
Ngozi's story often takes a backseat to Femi's, who is a handsome young man to whom money means everything. Femi's attempts to get rich don't come to much until he is released from prison and joins forces with an old friend who's into human trafficking. Femi learns the ins and outs of the new business quickly and soon branches out to the more lucrative sex trafficking and prostitution. The evil that Femi does is shown when Emma finds one of his trafficked clients who managed to escape a Libyan detention center. Last Seen in Lapaz does have scenes of torture and rape, but they are not gratuitous and they are not drawn out; they tell of the incredible brutality desperate immigrants often face when all they want-- all they've paid for-- is the way to a better life for themselves and their loved ones.
The only tiny quibbles I had with the book are its slow pace, its dispassionate tone that kept me from being completely drawn into the story, and the occasional scenes where the characters spoke in pidgin, which tried to tie my brain up in knots. Thankfully, a glossary is provided.
I can see readers passing this book by because of the subject matter and because they don't read to be upset. I can understand that. But sometimes greater understanding comes from reading outside your comfort zone and being upset. Author Kwei Quartey opens the door to a part of the world that few Americans know anything about. His previous series featuring police detective Darko Dawson and this series featuring young Emma Djan have not only entertained me, but they've also taught me a great deal about West Africa, and I appreciate that so very much.
(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)
When her dreams of a career in the police force were dashed, twenty-six-year-old Emma Djan found that she has a knack for being a private investigator, and she needs all of her skills to find missing eighteen-year-old Ngozi as well as the killer of Ngozi's boyfriend, Femi.
Ngozi's story often takes a backseat to Femi's, who is a handsome young man to whom money means everything. Femi's attempts to get rich don't come to much until he is released from prison and joins forces with an old friend who's into human trafficking. Femi learns the ins and outs of the new business quickly and soon branches out to the more lucrative sex trafficking and prostitution. The evil that Femi does is shown when Emma finds one of his trafficked clients who managed to escape a Libyan detention center. Last Seen in Lapaz does have scenes of torture and rape, but they are not gratuitous and they are not drawn out; they tell of the incredible brutality desperate immigrants often face when all they want-- all they've paid for-- is the way to a better life for themselves and their loved ones.
The only tiny quibbles I had with the book are its slow pace, its dispassionate tone that kept me from being completely drawn into the story, and the occasional scenes where the characters spoke in pidgin, which tried to tie my brain up in knots. Thankfully, a glossary is provided.
I can see readers passing this book by because of the subject matter and because they don't read to be upset. I can understand that. But sometimes greater understanding comes from reading outside your comfort zone and being upset. Author Kwei Quartey opens the door to a part of the world that few Americans know anything about. His previous series featuring police detective Darko Dawson and this series featuring young Emma Djan have not only entertained me, but they've also taught me a great deal about West Africa, and I appreciate that so very much.
(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)
April 5, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and RB Media, Recorded Books for accepting my request to audibly read and review Last Seen in Lapaz.
Narrated by Robin Miles
Published: 02/07/23
Unfortunately this didn't work out like I had hoped. The mystery/thriller -- multicultural interest appealed to me. I am trying to branch out. I've read audibly beautiful stories from Scotland, Poland, England, Italy and Egypt. The list surprises me.
I tried audibly and the E-book, having a difficult time with the dialect. In addition, it had come to the point where I was needing a flow chart to track the names and places. These issues lead to the problem, I couldn't get into the characters, and subsequently the story. I finished and was confused at the end, and so disappointed I just let it go. I could always go back later and try again.
I do not believe this being the third in a series and my first by the author played a part.
Narrated by Robin Miles
Published: 02/07/23
Unfortunately this didn't work out like I had hoped. The mystery/thriller -- multicultural interest appealed to me. I am trying to branch out. I've read audibly beautiful stories from Scotland, Poland, England, Italy and Egypt. The list surprises me.
I tried audibly and the E-book, having a difficult time with the dialect. In addition, it had come to the point where I was needing a flow chart to track the names and places. These issues lead to the problem, I couldn't get into the characters, and subsequently the story. I finished and was confused at the end, and so disappointed I just let it go. I could always go back later and try again.
I do not believe this being the third in a series and my first by the author played a part.
March 21, 2023
When I was in my first year at the University i became curious about Sex workers. I found it hard to understand why they do it. 'To get fucked just to get money', i found it to humiliating. Well, i had to find answers. One Friday i went to a certain one popular bar, i got one blonde. She demanded 30,000 Tshs (about 10 Usd) for the whole night. Then we started conversing, she was open and asked why she is doing such kind of work, she said; she has two kids who are in school, and their father left them. She lives with her grandmother whom she is paralytic. She had to take care of the family and she had no means, than selling her body. I asked about the risk; she said other customers doesn't want to use condoms, which most SW refuses in fear of STDs. Hardest part was payment, some customers doesn't pay after the service (which i found was too cruel). To solve it, they then opted prepaid, where the guesthouse's watchman is the custodian of the money, when they go to offer the service. POVERTY IS THE DRIVE OF PROSTITUTION & SEX WORKERS TRAFFICKING.
This the latest novel by Kwei Quartey, and a third of Private Investigator, Emma. In the novel, PI Emma under her Agency (Sowah Private Investigator),is tasked to find the missing girl, called Ngozi, the daughter of Ret. Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Nnamdi. The search for Ngozi, leds to Solving of the murder of his Boyfriend, Femi.
The story goes;
Ngozi, a law graduate student in Ghana, who falls in love with a Nigerian guy called Femi. As Ngozi Parents returns home in Nigeria, Ngozi's Boyfriend convince her to live with her in Ghana where will be a Hotel Manager. One day, Ngozi's Mother Ijeoma, found sexting and nudity conversation between Ngozi and femi, she became furious and slapped Ngozi who fell into a bathtub and suffer concussion for few days. Ngozi, angered following her mother's act, she now decides to leave, with Femi (whom Ngozi's parents are disapproval of him because of their age difference, Ngozi is 18 and Femi is 28 and looks thugish) to Ghana where she became his associate.
Unknowingly to Ngozi, Femi is convict who spent 8 years in jail for robbery; he is a swindler and sex worker trafficker in Nigeria. Femi Swindled, a couple Kehinde and Bisola whom he lured them with a hope of getting better life in Italy or German. During their trip to Italy, at Libya, on desert, the girl, Bisola get raped and killed by the Human smugglers, Kehinde after month, under help of International Organization of Migrants, return to Nigeria, when he swears to Kill Femi. Femi, after getting a Hotel Manager job in Ghana, he gets back in Nigeria to collect his stuffs and say goodbye to his old time friend cliff and his mentor in Human trafficking business. Before leaving, he asked Cliff some money, which Cliff gives but he is unsatisfied with the amount given, knowing he had a lot of money in his safe, he attacked and assaulted him and emptied his safe.
Arriving in Ghana with Ngozi they started to work at the hotel with Prostitutes being a major service, which is owned by Awumi and his lover Janet whom she owns a brothel posed as guesthouse called Alligator. Janeth was also a sex worker at that place.She got a pregnant at teenage, chased from home her father, by help of her mother went to live with her destitute grandmother and started selling her body. At Alligator, she was promoted to Madam (CSW's supervisor) and later owner after the death of the boss, Queennie. She birthed a boy, Ben-Kwame whom later became the Chief Security of her mother's brothel. The guy is violent and sex abuser. One day, Ngozi became in Contact with a girl called Diamond, who is Nigerian trafficked and forced Sexual worker at Alligator. Ngozi rescued her, which made Femi, Awumi, Janeth and Ben-Kwame Furious. Ben, at earlier suggestions of Femi to demand ransom from her parent, kidnap Ngozi. Before the ransom made, Femi is shot dead. Ngozi, continued to be held, tortured and raped by Ben-kwame for a week, untill he died from Overdosing himself. Ngozi, unable to escape from the place, she is found, highly dehydrated, by Awumi and Janet when they were surveying their building to start construction.
Well, the major important theme of the novel is Human trafficking. So, if you want to save time, and read about the network of human trafficking in west africa, then you can safely skip all the other chapters and just read Part six from Chapter 43 to 49 of the Novel. Under this Part, Kehinde expose what they went through when, with his to-be wife Bisola, were trafficked from Nigeria to Italy.
From Nigeria, smuggled people are taken to Kano, the city borders Nigeria and Niger. From Kano, by Motorcycle, they are smuggled, where apart from threat of dehydration, you may get gunned down by the Niger's patrol if fails to pay them bribe, to the town of Agadez, still in Niger. Historically, the city of Agadez is the historical one established in 15th Central, which has world heritage status under UNESCO. There in Agedaz, they wait for days, to be taken to Sabha in Libya. There is the ground, where people stays for even three months. The camps are hellish—murder, enforced disappearance, torture, enslavement, sexual violence, rape. There is a long que and the only mode of transport are pick ups. So, if you miss one you have to wait for long time; but with the promise of Good life in Italy, all are tolerable. If you survive in Sabha, the next stop is Tripoli, from there you are crossing the sea to Italy.
What makes trafficking possible;
Miserable life in Sahel countries i.e Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, The Gambia, Guinea Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal. HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT AMONG YOUTHS. Youth graduate but no jobs, government does a little to flourish private sector.
Political instability.
From Nigeria, to Niger to Libya. All these countries are politically unstable, terrorism is high, govts are too poor to patrol the boarders, this makes Smuggling easy as almost of those areas are like no govt exists there.
Libya:
IOM Libya's Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) programme identified a total of 649,788 migrants from over 41 nationalities in the 100 Libyan municipalities during Round 41 of data collection—Sourced from:- (https://dtm.iom.int/reports/libya-mig...
Since the fall of Muamar Gaddafi in 2011 on Arab Spring, Libya became a failed state. Various factions took the cake of the land and imposed their govts. This made Libya a hub and window of Immigrants to Europe. Libya is now a country where slave trade is done.
As far the Sahel region—Nigeria, Niger, Mali etc is unstable, Human trafficking will keep pace in West & Northern Africa and Europe will continue to receive a thousands of them.
By all standards, this is a very good novel. A very catchy Opening–at 15th page of the book, you got curious to know, what happened, you keep turning the page; flow of the story is easy to follow with the well connected scenes and events. But i was highly disturbed by the Homosexual scenes at the end of the novel, as a matter of fact I failed to understand their relevance to the story. As much as I respect the sexuality freedom, I'm always disturbed when I come across homosexuality scenes.
This the latest novel by Kwei Quartey, and a third of Private Investigator, Emma. In the novel, PI Emma under her Agency (Sowah Private Investigator),is tasked to find the missing girl, called Ngozi, the daughter of Ret. Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Nnamdi. The search for Ngozi, leds to Solving of the murder of his Boyfriend, Femi.
The story goes;
Ngozi, a law graduate student in Ghana, who falls in love with a Nigerian guy called Femi. As Ngozi Parents returns home in Nigeria, Ngozi's Boyfriend convince her to live with her in Ghana where will be a Hotel Manager. One day, Ngozi's Mother Ijeoma, found sexting and nudity conversation between Ngozi and femi, she became furious and slapped Ngozi who fell into a bathtub and suffer concussion for few days. Ngozi, angered following her mother's act, she now decides to leave, with Femi (whom Ngozi's parents are disapproval of him because of their age difference, Ngozi is 18 and Femi is 28 and looks thugish) to Ghana where she became his associate.
Unknowingly to Ngozi, Femi is convict who spent 8 years in jail for robbery; he is a swindler and sex worker trafficker in Nigeria. Femi Swindled, a couple Kehinde and Bisola whom he lured them with a hope of getting better life in Italy or German. During their trip to Italy, at Libya, on desert, the girl, Bisola get raped and killed by the Human smugglers, Kehinde after month, under help of International Organization of Migrants, return to Nigeria, when he swears to Kill Femi. Femi, after getting a Hotel Manager job in Ghana, he gets back in Nigeria to collect his stuffs and say goodbye to his old time friend cliff and his mentor in Human trafficking business. Before leaving, he asked Cliff some money, which Cliff gives but he is unsatisfied with the amount given, knowing he had a lot of money in his safe, he attacked and assaulted him and emptied his safe.
Arriving in Ghana with Ngozi they started to work at the hotel with Prostitutes being a major service, which is owned by Awumi and his lover Janet whom she owns a brothel posed as guesthouse called Alligator. Janeth was also a sex worker at that place.She got a pregnant at teenage, chased from home her father, by help of her mother went to live with her destitute grandmother and started selling her body. At Alligator, she was promoted to Madam (CSW's supervisor) and later owner after the death of the boss, Queennie. She birthed a boy, Ben-Kwame whom later became the Chief Security of her mother's brothel. The guy is violent and sex abuser. One day, Ngozi became in Contact with a girl called Diamond, who is Nigerian trafficked and forced Sexual worker at Alligator. Ngozi rescued her, which made Femi, Awumi, Janeth and Ben-Kwame Furious. Ben, at earlier suggestions of Femi to demand ransom from her parent, kidnap Ngozi. Before the ransom made, Femi is shot dead. Ngozi, continued to be held, tortured and raped by Ben-kwame for a week, untill he died from Overdosing himself. Ngozi, unable to escape from the place, she is found, highly dehydrated, by Awumi and Janet when they were surveying their building to start construction.
Well, the major important theme of the novel is Human trafficking. So, if you want to save time, and read about the network of human trafficking in west africa, then you can safely skip all the other chapters and just read Part six from Chapter 43 to 49 of the Novel. Under this Part, Kehinde expose what they went through when, with his to-be wife Bisola, were trafficked from Nigeria to Italy.
From Nigeria, smuggled people are taken to Kano, the city borders Nigeria and Niger. From Kano, by Motorcycle, they are smuggled, where apart from threat of dehydration, you may get gunned down by the Niger's patrol if fails to pay them bribe, to the town of Agadez, still in Niger. Historically, the city of Agadez is the historical one established in 15th Central, which has world heritage status under UNESCO. There in Agedaz, they wait for days, to be taken to Sabha in Libya. There is the ground, where people stays for even three months. The camps are hellish—murder, enforced disappearance, torture, enslavement, sexual violence, rape. There is a long que and the only mode of transport are pick ups. So, if you miss one you have to wait for long time; but with the promise of Good life in Italy, all are tolerable. If you survive in Sabha, the next stop is Tripoli, from there you are crossing the sea to Italy.
What makes trafficking possible;
Miserable life in Sahel countries i.e Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, The Gambia, Guinea Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal. HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT AMONG YOUTHS. Youth graduate but no jobs, government does a little to flourish private sector.
Political instability.
From Nigeria, to Niger to Libya. All these countries are politically unstable, terrorism is high, govts are too poor to patrol the boarders, this makes Smuggling easy as almost of those areas are like no govt exists there.
Libya:
IOM Libya's Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) programme identified a total of 649,788 migrants from over 41 nationalities in the 100 Libyan municipalities during Round 41 of data collection—Sourced from:- (https://dtm.iom.int/reports/libya-mig...
Since the fall of Muamar Gaddafi in 2011 on Arab Spring, Libya became a failed state. Various factions took the cake of the land and imposed their govts. This made Libya a hub and window of Immigrants to Europe. Libya is now a country where slave trade is done.
As far the Sahel region—Nigeria, Niger, Mali etc is unstable, Human trafficking will keep pace in West & Northern Africa and Europe will continue to receive a thousands of them.
By all standards, this is a very good novel. A very catchy Opening–at 15th page of the book, you got curious to know, what happened, you keep turning the page; flow of the story is easy to follow with the well connected scenes and events. But i was highly disturbed by the Homosexual scenes at the end of the novel, as a matter of fact I failed to understand their relevance to the story. As much as I respect the sexuality freedom, I'm always disturbed when I come across homosexuality scenes.
October 24, 2024
This was excellent and a bit weighty.
What I love about this series ultimately is its style. The setup for this series is cozy mystery-esque or maybe cozy mystery adjacent🤔? Either way, this manages to include my favorite aspect of cozy mysteries: the quirky cast of endearing characters that people each novel. This includes Emma's co-workers at the detective agency as well as her awesome boss. I like her mom's character and their relationship. There's Courage her bf, Boateng (sp? I listened to this on audio, so I have no idea of the sp) the forensics guy and the Cuban doctor whose name continually escapes me. So, even though these characters aren't a huge part of the story, I've come to look forward to their scenes.
I also adore the settings in this series, which I've read out of order and won't go into specifics as I don't remember exactly which book on the series I'm thinking of and don't want to risk spoiling the 4th book in this series which I read first. I just find the settings interesting, and the descriptions leave me longing to visit Accra.
The other part I love about this series is the way the story is laid out. While Emma is the protagonist in the series and in each book, the reader is given the ability to see many aspects that are occurring all around the crime. I think of this as kind of the Law & Order effect. So the reader gets scenes sometimes before the mystery incident, sometimes scenes with victims of the mystery incident, its a very thorough look at the situation. The mysteries themselves tend to be complex and nuanced. The perpetrator is rarely the obvious suspect. This approach to setting the mystery in the middle of a hedge maze and allowing the reader to use the clues as a map to the center is possibly my favorite aspect of these stories.
Finally, I like that the author isn't afraid to look at issues that impact the world globally but allows the reader to see a Ghanaian point of view on these issues. This is a pov not often considered or seen. I find it especially effective in this book and book 4. It was just really well played and respectfully handled.
What I love about this series ultimately is its style. The setup for this series is cozy mystery-esque or maybe cozy mystery adjacent🤔? Either way, this manages to include my favorite aspect of cozy mysteries: the quirky cast of endearing characters that people each novel. This includes Emma's co-workers at the detective agency as well as her awesome boss. I like her mom's character and their relationship. There's Courage her bf, Boateng (sp? I listened to this on audio, so I have no idea of the sp) the forensics guy and the Cuban doctor whose name continually escapes me. So, even though these characters aren't a huge part of the story, I've come to look forward to their scenes.
I also adore the settings in this series, which I've read out of order and won't go into specifics as I don't remember exactly which book on the series I'm thinking of and don't want to risk spoiling the 4th book in this series which I read first. I just find the settings interesting, and the descriptions leave me longing to visit Accra.
The other part I love about this series is the way the story is laid out. While Emma is the protagonist in the series and in each book, the reader is given the ability to see many aspects that are occurring all around the crime. I think of this as kind of the Law & Order effect. So the reader gets scenes sometimes before the mystery incident, sometimes scenes with victims of the mystery incident, its a very thorough look at the situation. The mysteries themselves tend to be complex and nuanced. The perpetrator is rarely the obvious suspect. This approach to setting the mystery in the middle of a hedge maze and allowing the reader to use the clues as a map to the center is possibly my favorite aspect of these stories.
Finally, I like that the author isn't afraid to look at issues that impact the world globally but allows the reader to see a Ghanaian point of view on these issues. This is a pov not often considered or seen. I find it especially effective in this book and book 4. It was just really well played and respectfully handled.
January 9, 2024
Overall rating 5/5
This is the most diverse read I’ve come across so far. It was nice to see a books setting take place in west Africa, as we don’t see or hear from those perspectives often. From the moment I picked up the book I couldn’t put it down. When not reading it I’d constantly be wondering what happens next. The story of the main character's kidnapping was written very well. All of the main characters perspectives/points of view were shared equally and contributed to the storytelling & problem solving. Lastly, i loved the list of all characters and their description to the plot (provided in the beginning) , and the glossaries for West African phrases, things, and places with a Nigerian pidgin dictionary so that you can follow along when these dialects were used.
This is the most diverse read I’ve come across so far. It was nice to see a books setting take place in west Africa, as we don’t see or hear from those perspectives often. From the moment I picked up the book I couldn’t put it down. When not reading it I’d constantly be wondering what happens next. The story of the main character's kidnapping was written very well. All of the main characters perspectives/points of view were shared equally and contributed to the storytelling & problem solving. Lastly, i loved the list of all characters and their description to the plot (provided in the beginning) , and the glossaries for West African phrases, things, and places with a Nigerian pidgin dictionary so that you can follow along when these dialects were used.
May 26, 2023
There is a lot of heaving material being dealt with in this latest installment of Emma Djan Investigations.
I love how these stories play out. I love that we get realistic, serious situations that people encounter. I love how so much of the story is dedicated to the who, what, when, and why! These are more sophisticated mysteries as opposed to the cozy type a lot of people are more familiar with.
My only complaint is that I wish we could learn more about Emma Djan! This is the third installment in HER SERIES and we still really haven’t connected with her, she seems like more of a supporting character than the main protagonist.
I love how these stories play out. I love that we get realistic, serious situations that people encounter. I love how so much of the story is dedicated to the who, what, when, and why! These are more sophisticated mysteries as opposed to the cozy type a lot of people are more familiar with.
My only complaint is that I wish we could learn more about Emma Djan! This is the third installment in HER SERIES and we still really haven’t connected with her, she seems like more of a supporting character than the main protagonist.
March 5, 2023
Private Investigator Emma Djan is a dynamite main character. She goes to extremes to solve the mysteries placed on her case. When a young Nigerian girl, Ngozi, goes missing in Accra, Emma and her partner Jojo jump into the case and follow clues throughout Accra and into Benin City and Lagos, Nigeria.
Femi, the protagonist, has a sordid past. After falling into crime as a young boy, he ended up in prison for eight years. Upon his release, he finds an old friend who helps him get into his business. Unfortunately, his business is trafficking humans. Femi and his friend encourage Nigerians looking to improve their lives to make the treacherous journey to Europe to start over, crossing desert and sea to get there. Femi learns of an opportunity closer to home with sex workers at Accra hotels, and lures Ngozi to help him. When Femi winds up dead and Ngozi goes missing, the detective work begins.
Told in various timelines (present day and flashbacks) we get a full picture of all the characters that ultimately lead to the whodunnit moment - it’s probably not who you think it is! Robin Miles is a magnificent narrator who switched seamlessly between her American accent when narrating and Ghanaian and Nigerian accents when speaking for various characters. Brilliantly read.
This is my first book by Quartey but it won’t be my last! I look forward to reading his other books in this series and more.
Thank you to NetGalley and Recorded Books for the audio ARC.
Femi, the protagonist, has a sordid past. After falling into crime as a young boy, he ended up in prison for eight years. Upon his release, he finds an old friend who helps him get into his business. Unfortunately, his business is trafficking humans. Femi and his friend encourage Nigerians looking to improve their lives to make the treacherous journey to Europe to start over, crossing desert and sea to get there. Femi learns of an opportunity closer to home with sex workers at Accra hotels, and lures Ngozi to help him. When Femi winds up dead and Ngozi goes missing, the detective work begins.
Told in various timelines (present day and flashbacks) we get a full picture of all the characters that ultimately lead to the whodunnit moment - it’s probably not who you think it is! Robin Miles is a magnificent narrator who switched seamlessly between her American accent when narrating and Ghanaian and Nigerian accents when speaking for various characters. Brilliantly read.
This is my first book by Quartey but it won’t be my last! I look forward to reading his other books in this series and more.
Thank you to NetGalley and Recorded Books for the audio ARC.
March 16, 2023
I just could not connect with any of the characters.
March 8, 2023
Emma Djan is back on a case. A friend of the head of the detective agency has appealed to them to help find his daughter, Ngozi, who presumably ran off from her Nigeria home to go to Ghana with Femi, a lowlife criminal. Femi is found shot to death and Ngozi has vanished. Are the cases connected? As the book unfolds, there are MANY people who might want Femi dead, as the narration shifts to give us his story and hers - and a few others along the way.
I liked the sections with Emma and the other detectives trying to figure out what had happened and was ok with the background stories for Ngozi and Femi, but found the long story of to be unnecessary for the plot.
I liked the sections with Emma and the other detectives trying to figure out what had happened and was ok with the background stories for Ngozi and Femi, but found the long story of to be unnecessary for the plot.
January 4, 2023
(read advance review copy)
One of the things I love about Kwei Quartey's Emma Djan series is the slice of life in Ghana that they show. This one takes that up a notch (perhaps one notch too high). There's a lot less of Emma's personal life in this one, and lot more of the life of the victims and suspects. At some times, this background threatened to overwhelm the storytelling. But it did wrap up in a satisfactory way.
One of the things I love about Kwei Quartey's Emma Djan series is the slice of life in Ghana that they show. This one takes that up a notch (perhaps one notch too high). There's a lot less of Emma's personal life in this one, and lot more of the life of the victims and suspects. At some times, this background threatened to overwhelm the storytelling. But it did wrap up in a satisfactory way.
June 4, 2023
I loved this book! A sign of a good book is when I'm still thinking about it after I finish.
Ngozi goes missing from her parents' home in Nigeria. She was last known to date an older man named Femi. Her parents hire private investigators to find her.
This story was a lot, so make sure you read the trigger warnings. This book had so much going on - murder, kidnapping, and a lot of twists. I couldn't put it down.
There are a lot of characters to keep track of, but the author does a good job of bringing them together. There is even a list of characters at the beginning. I like that the story is told from different characters' perspectives. It gives you a better understanding of the story.
Ngozi goes missing from her parents' home in Nigeria. She was last known to date an older man named Femi. Her parents hire private investigators to find her.
This story was a lot, so make sure you read the trigger warnings. This book had so much going on - murder, kidnapping, and a lot of twists. I couldn't put it down.
There are a lot of characters to keep track of, but the author does a good job of bringing them together. There is even a list of characters at the beginning. I like that the story is told from different characters' perspectives. It gives you a better understanding of the story.
March 8, 2023
DNF at 21%
I typically love any story taking place in Nigeria, but this bored me. It was too slow moving. I loved the narrators accents but it wasn’t enough to keep me hooked I haven’t read any previous book in the series (I wasn’t aware it was a #3 when I started).
I very much appreciated the authors note at the beginning. Thank you for writing about critical issues without “trauma porn”
Thanks netgalley for my ARC.
I typically love any story taking place in Nigeria, but this bored me. It was too slow moving. I loved the narrators accents but it wasn’t enough to keep me hooked I haven’t read any previous book in the series (I wasn’t aware it was a #3 when I started).
I very much appreciated the authors note at the beginning. Thank you for writing about critical issues without “trauma porn”
Thanks netgalley for my ARC.
March 3, 2023
As always, Kwei Quartey delivers a complex detective crime thriller with loads of intertwined storylines culminating in a whodunit with just the right amount of breadcrumbs
February 22, 2023
The story flowed well but I couldn’t connect to the characters. I did like it better than the last book. I would like more depth to the characters. The audio was well done which helped me finish it.
****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****
****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****
February 13, 2023
Emma Djan is back in this third instalment of Kwei Quartey's dynamic private investigator series, this time set in colourful cities across Ghana and Nigeria. While the first two explored class, corruption, and politics in Ghana, this novel delves into the seedy and exploitative world of human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
When eighteen-year-old Ngozi disappears with her older boyfriend Femi Adebanjo, Emma and the gang are hired by her father to find her. After Femi is found murdered, the pressure is on to locate Ngozi before she suffers a similar fate. What follows is a dizzying and often fraught exploration of the realities of migrant smuggling and sex trafficking, from those who exploit and profit off those desperate to travel from Africa to Europe, to those who keep them indebted and in indentured labour.
With the subject matter comes a volley of potential triggers for rape, sexual assault, kidnapping, and more. It's not an easy read by any means, but these issues are treated frankly and compassionately. Overall, another excellent addition to the series and I'm always looking forward to the next.
When eighteen-year-old Ngozi disappears with her older boyfriend Femi Adebanjo, Emma and the gang are hired by her father to find her. After Femi is found murdered, the pressure is on to locate Ngozi before she suffers a similar fate. What follows is a dizzying and often fraught exploration of the realities of migrant smuggling and sex trafficking, from those who exploit and profit off those desperate to travel from Africa to Europe, to those who keep them indebted and in indentured labour.
With the subject matter comes a volley of potential triggers for rape, sexual assault, kidnapping, and more. It's not an easy read by any means, but these issues are treated frankly and compassionately. Overall, another excellent addition to the series and I'm always looking forward to the next.
February 15, 2023
A mystery and a sobering look at human trafficking, which is a universal issue. Set in Ghana and Nigeria, the book uses many words and phrases that will be unfamiliar to most readers, but there is a glossary in the back of the book. This was a well written and important read for me.
March 11, 2023
I eagerly awaited book 3 of the Emma Djan series. Last Seen in Lapaz was not what I expected at all. It opens as usual reintroducing readers to all of the main characters, and the early elements of their latest case. How the rest of the novel unfolds left me puzzled, but I went with it to get through the story. I wasn't expecting the book to spend so much time on the victim's back story. He becomes a central character who, if not for the fact that he gets murdered, could spin off into his own book. I am more accustomed to books going back and forth in time to reveal how a character's backstory plays into the events that lead up to their demise. Spending such a large portion of the book on the details of this character's life was a little irritating. I have read other comments about this book stating their appreciation of the light shed on human trafficking, and the characters using Nigerian pidgin, and I also appreciated that. I would have preferred Femi's story alternating with the detectives uncovering clues and solving the mystery.
February 6, 2023
I found this book to be engaging even though the topic was a little disturbing to me. Books about prostitutes and human trafficking are not topics I usually want to read about but they were handled in such a way by the author that I could handle it. The book kept me reading so I could find out what happened with Ngozi and Femi.
October 16, 2023
The missing American was a great book 5 stars. So I got the second or perhaps third in the series Last seen in Lapaz.
This one is unimpressive. It’s still PI Emma, Sowah and other familiar characters in the agency but they aren’t in it much and honestly, it Didn’t even seem like same author.
The book itself is hundreds of pages and details too long and needs editing. Way to many social issues trying to be addressed in one book. It’s not clear if you’re supposed to keep reading bc care about the murder, solving the murder, the kidnapping victim, the characters or bc of some social justice ending, I cared for none and was bored.
Definitely skip.
This one is unimpressive. It’s still PI Emma, Sowah and other familiar characters in the agency but they aren’t in it much and honestly, it Didn’t even seem like same author.
The book itself is hundreds of pages and details too long and needs editing. Way to many social issues trying to be addressed in one book. It’s not clear if you’re supposed to keep reading bc care about the murder, solving the murder, the kidnapping victim, the characters or bc of some social justice ending, I cared for none and was bored.
Definitely skip.
January 14, 2023
I received an Advance Edition of this book from goodreads to read and review. Apparently, this is the third book in the series, so it puts me a little behind in knowing the characters involved. Honestly, I didn't really care for it. Initially I thought it was going to be a pretty decent book but then for me it misses the mark. The whole father going to his friend to have his private detectives search for the missing daughter that fell in love with the ex-con that gets murdered thing seems like so many other stories. Bored me out of my mind.
January 15, 2023
I'm relatively new to this author, but I did enjoy this read. I love mystery, suspense, and thrillers. I'll definitely be checking out more by Kwei Quartey!
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