When Amanda Brown arrives in the Congo to run a missionary guesthouse, she is fascinated by both the landscape and the people. But, her cultural training hasn't prepared her for its people’s peculiar names and odd customs. Although she already has a housekeeper, she can’t resist offering employment to the clever first wife of Their Death, the local witch doctor. Their Death, not really a very successful witch doctor, is trying to deal with his two squabbling spouses and his second job as a yardman. When he discovers his baby son sucking on a huge raw diamond, he sets in motion a chain of greed, misplaced trust, and betrayal.

Each chapter begins with a short paragraph about the Congo, primarily the various animals that live there, but occasionally on the culture of the local native tribes as well. I thought it was one of the most interesting aspects of the book even though it didn't really signal an event in the following chapter. I loved the interaction between Amanda's household staff, arrogant housekeeper Protruding Naval and assistant, Cripple.

I thought this book was an interesting look at pre-independence Congo from an author who grew up there. The setting was very atmospheric and the characters were very humorous. The author has just started to develop the character of Amanda Brown in this book and it feels a bit unfinished. I am planning to read one of the other three books in the series and she how these characters make out in the future.
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This was a fun read. The major character is a young American missionary, who comes to the Belgian Congo in the 50's and becomes involved in a mystery involving a large diamond and a possible murder. The characters were interesting, the setting was stunning, the mystery, however, was only average. There are too many side stories that are never really traced out, and the characters have lots of potential, but their relationships and how those tie in to the plot are never really developed. Definitely worth reading, however, if you like light mysteries with exotic settings. The writer knows her setting well and includes lots of good physical details. ( )

Very light in plot, character, style, and overall content. I was hoping that our book club discussion would upgrade my opinion, but no luck. Not my cup of tea. ( )

The Witch Doctor’s Wife by Tamar Myers is the first book in her series that features Amanda Brown, a young American missionary who come to the Belgium Congo in 1958. Amanda is little prepared for the culture clash she finds herself in but with the help of the local policeman and her newly hired help, who turns out to be the local witch doctor’s wife, she is learning how to cope.

There is very little mystery here, mostly a sly game of Who’s Got The Button but the button in this case is a huge, flawless diamond that originally shows up in hands of a toddler. As the diamond is snatched back and forth by different people, we also learn of the struggles of the various ethnic groups that are trying to get along while this nation is on the verge of a revolution for it’s independence.

I loved the setting and since the author was born and raised in the Congo, she is very informative about the land, it’s people, and the political tensions that were mounting. I was a little disappointed with Amanda finding her somewhat colorless and stiff but hope to see more character development with her as the series progresses. Overall an entertaining novel that was interesting and instructive at the same time. ( )

I know Tamar Myers personally and have heard her speak -- like her this book is interesting and funny and sometimes spiritual. I liked how she began most chapters with a paragraph giving information about an African animal or cultural fact. And since Tamar herself grew up the daughter of a missionary in Congo, I feel confident that she gives a realistic picture of what life was like.

The story itself is about a community of native Africans and Europeans living in a small village in the Belgian Congo in 1958. There are many characters, but I didn't find it too hard to keep track of them. Although life is hard and/or challenging for most of the characters, it is not a depressing read. I enjoyed seeing the variety of attitudes both the Africans and the Europeans had towards one another, with varying degrees of prejudice, amusement, resentment, and compassion. ( )