Anansi's Gold

Starred review from May 15, 2023
Journalist Yeebo brilliantly illuminates the stranger-than-fiction career of Ghanaian fraudster John Ackah Blay-Miezah (1941–1992) in this thrilling true-crime account. The opening section, set in 1974, showcases Blay-Miezah’s incredible brazenness: despite being in prison for fraud, he arranged to be brought from his cell to a meeting with Ghana’s military ruler, Ignatius Kutu Acheampong. With Ghana drowning in debt, Acheampong was eager to accept Blay-Miezah’s claim that the country’s deceased first president had concealed millions in Swiss bank vaults and put him in charge of the funds; all Blay-Miezah needed to boost Ghana’s battered economy was his freedom and a diplomatic passport. After getting both, he spent decades scamming deep-pocketed investors into helping him “rescue” that nonexistent trust fund so they could grab a piece for themselves. The prismatic narrative features appearances by child actor–turned–diplomat Shirley Temple and former Nixon attorney general John Mitchell, whose consulting firm was hired by Blay-Miezah to give the fund a veneer of respectability. When investors got cold feet, Mitchell would call to offer reassurances that returns were on their way. Yeebo’s details and research are beyond meticulous, and she spins her central con artist into a charismatic lead. This is perfect for fans of Frank Abignale Jr.’s Catch Me If You Can. Agent: Jin Auh, Wylie Agency.