Allison & Busby buys Quartey crime series

Allison & Busby has bought a Ghana-set crime series by US writer Kwei Quartey.

Editor Kelly Smith acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, for The Missing American and a second book in the series from Hannah Whitaker of the Rights People, acting on behalf of Soho Press. It will be launched as a trade paperback and e-book in January 2020.

The publisher explained: “The novel explores the shady and spiritual world of sakawa (Internet) scams as Gordon Tilson, a lonely American man, finds himself the unwitting target of a rom-con. When Gordon goes missing, his son Derek races to Ghana to find his father, but discovers a hotbed of violence and corruption in his wake. Meanwhile, an enthusiastic and instinctive young PI, Emma Djan, is determined to make a name for herself…”

Quartey’s previous series, the Darko Dawson novels, were published by Soho Press and hit the Los Angeles Times bestseller list. Quartey was born in Ghana before moving to the US to complete his medical training. Having practised as a physician for over 25 years, in 2018 he decided to become a full-time writer.

Smith said: “The Missing American has everything a crime novel should – pace, drama and thrills. I’m thrilled to bring such a talent as Kwei to the list.”