Review by Karla Edwards

Death at the Voyager Hotel is a whodunit novel by Kwei Jones-Quartey set in the bustling city of Accra, West Africa. The book provides a rich and intricate portrayal of life and culture in Accra and is full of suspense and fascinating characters. Jones-Quartey’s novels offer insight into various aspects of modern Ghanaian society, and this particular book delves into the workings of the modern aid industry.

The book begins with the unexpected death of Heather Peterson, an American volunteer who was staying at a hotel. Although the police concluded that her death was accidental, Paula, the protagonist and headmistress of a school for underprivileged children, has her doubts. Firstly, Heather was a strong swimmer, so it seems unlikely that she could have drowned. Secondly, the police suggested that she had too much to drink, but she wasn’t a heavy drinker. These questions leave Paula feeling doubtful, and she decides to conduct her own investigation, which ultimately leads to an unexpected and thrilling conclusion.

Death at the Voyager Hotel is a gripping murder mystery that I couldn’t put down. The author expertly weaves together a complex plot with characters that kept me guessing until the end. The setting is vividly described, which transported me to the heart of the story. Kwei Jones-Quartey’s writing style is engaging, with just the right amount of detail to bring the story to life. I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a good mystery. I’m eagerly looking forward to his next book.

Death at the Voyager Hotel
Written by Kwei Jones-Quartey
2013, Afram Publications
ISBN: 9789964705220
Reviews: Kirkus reviews of several of Jones-Quartey’s other books

Karla Edwards is an accomplished primary school teacher with over ten years of experience in diverse educational environments. She now offers English consultancy services and is known for her strong commitment to promoting educational equity. Currently, Karla is leading training sessions for schools on diversifying their English curriculum, ensuring that all children see themselves in the literature they read. Her passion for reducing educational disadvantage and closing achievement gaps makes her a valuable resource for anyone interested in creating more inclusive educational environments. 

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GLLI’s 2024 International YA Literature Month has been curated by Dr Emily Corbett. She is a lecturer in children’s and young adult literature at Goldsmiths, University of London, where she leads the MA Children’s Literature: Theoretical Approaches to Children’s and Young Adult Literature programme. Her research focuses on the growth and development of YA from literary, publishing, and cultural perspectives. She is also General Editor of The International Journal of Young Adult Literature and was founding Vice President of the YA Studies Association. Her monograph, In Transition: Young Adult Literature and Transgender Representation (2024), is forthcoming with the University Press of Mississippi in June. You can find her contact details on her institutional website and connect with her on Twitter and Instagram via @DrEmilyCorbett.

Opinions expressed in posts on this site are the individual author’s and are not indicative of the views of Global Literature in Libraries Initiative.