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No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency #4
螆谓伪 蟻伪未喂蠈蠁蠅谓慰, 未苇魏伪 纬蟻伪蠁慰渭畏蠂伪谓苇蟼 魏伪喂 渭蔚蟻喂魏苇蟼 魏蟻蠀蠁苇蟼 伪渭伪蟻蟿委蔚蟼
螚 谓蟿蔚蟿苇魏蟿喂尾 螤蟻苇蟽喂慰蠀蟼 巍伪渭蠈蟿蟽慰蠀蔚, 苇蠂慰谓蟿伪蟼 蟺喂伪 蟽蟿慰 蔚谓蔚蟻纬畏蟿喂魏蠈 蟿畏蟼 蟿畏谓 蔚尉喂蠂谓委伪蟽畏 蟺慰位位蠋谓 蟽魏慰蟿蔚喂谓蠋谓 蠀蟺慰胃苇蟽蔚蠅谓, 蟽蠀谓蔚蠂委味蔚喂 谓伪 未喂蔚蠀胃蠉谓蔚喂 蟿慰 螡慰 1 螕蠀谓伪喂魏蔚委慰 螕蟻伪蠁蔚委慰 螜未喂蠅蟿喂魏蠋谓 螘蟻蔚蠀谓蠋谓 蟽蟿畏谓 螠蟺慰蟿蟽慰蠀维谓伪 蟿畏蟼 螒蠁蟻喂魏萎蟼 蔚纬魏伪蟿蔚蟽蟿畏渭苇谓畏 蟽蟿慰 蟽蠀谓蔚蟻纬蔚委慰 蟿慰蠀 伪蟻蟻伪尾蠅谓喂伪蟽蟿喂魏慰蠉 蟿畏蟼, 蟿慰蠀 魏蠉蟻喂慰蠀 韦味. 螞. 螠蟺. 螠伪蟿蔚魏蠈谓喂.
螝喂 蔚谓蠋 蟽魏苇蠁蟿蔚蟿伪喂 蟿畏谓 慰蟻纬维谓蠅蟽畏 蟿慰蠀 纬维渭慰蠀 蟿畏蟼 -伪谓 魏伪喂 畏 畏渭蔚蟻慰渭畏谓委伪 伪魏蠈渭畏 未蔚谓 苇蠂蔚喂 慰蟻喂蟽蟿蔚委- 魏伪喂谓慰蠉蟻纬喂慰喂 蟺蔚位维蟿蔚蟼 蟿畏蟼 蠂蟿蠀蟺维谓蔚 蟿畏谓 蟺蠈蟻蟿伪. 螚 魏蠀蟻委伪 巍伪渭蠈蟿蟽慰蠀蔚 蠁伪委谓蔚蟿伪喂 谓伪 苇蠂蔚喂 蟿伪 蟺维谓蟿伪 蠀蟺蠈 苇位蔚纬蠂慰 纬喂伪 渭喂伪 伪魏蠈渭畏 蠁慰蟻维. 螌蟿伪谓, 蠈渭蠅蟼, 畏 尾慰畏胃蠈蟼 蟿畏蟼, 畏 魏蠀蟻委伪 螠伪魏慰蠉蟿蟽喂, 伪蟺慰蠁伪蟽委味蔚喂 谓伪 蔚蟺蔚魏蟿蔚委谓蔚喂 蟿喂蟼 蔚蟺伪纬纬蔚位渭伪蟿喂魏苇蟼 蟿畏蟼 未蟻伪蟽蟿畏蟻喂蠈蟿畏蟿蔚蟼 伪谓慰委纬慰谓蟿伪蟼 蟿畏谓 蟺蟻蠋蟿畏 蟽蠂慰位萎 未伪魏蟿蠀位慰纬蟻维蠁畏蟽畏蟼 纬喂伪 维谓蟿蟻蔚蟼, 蟿伪 蟺蟻维纬渭伪蟿伪 蟺蔚蟻喂蟺位苇魏慰谓蟿伪喂. 螣 位蠈纬慰蟼; 螣 伪喂谓喂纬渭伪蟿喂魏蠈蟼 魏蠉蟻喂慰蟼 危蔚位蔚位喂蟺苇谓...
螝喂 蔚谓蠋 蟽魏苇蠁蟿蔚蟿伪喂 蟿畏谓 慰蟻纬维谓蠅蟽畏 蟿慰蠀 纬维渭慰蠀 蟿畏蟼 -伪谓 魏伪喂 畏 畏渭蔚蟻慰渭畏谓委伪 伪魏蠈渭畏 未蔚谓 苇蠂蔚喂 慰蟻喂蟽蟿蔚委- 魏伪喂谓慰蠉蟻纬喂慰喂 蟺蔚位维蟿蔚蟼 蟿畏蟼 蠂蟿蠀蟺维谓蔚 蟿畏谓 蟺蠈蟻蟿伪. 螚 魏蠀蟻委伪 巍伪渭蠈蟿蟽慰蠀蔚 蠁伪委谓蔚蟿伪喂 谓伪 苇蠂蔚喂 蟿伪 蟺维谓蟿伪 蠀蟺蠈 苇位蔚纬蠂慰 纬喂伪 渭喂伪 伪魏蠈渭畏 蠁慰蟻维. 螌蟿伪谓, 蠈渭蠅蟼, 畏 尾慰畏胃蠈蟼 蟿畏蟼, 畏 魏蠀蟻委伪 螠伪魏慰蠉蟿蟽喂, 伪蟺慰蠁伪蟽委味蔚喂 谓伪 蔚蟺蔚魏蟿蔚委谓蔚喂 蟿喂蟼 蔚蟺伪纬纬蔚位渭伪蟿喂魏苇蟼 蟿畏蟼 未蟻伪蟽蟿畏蟻喂蠈蟿畏蟿蔚蟼 伪谓慰委纬慰谓蟿伪蟼 蟿畏谓 蟺蟻蠋蟿畏 蟽蠂慰位萎 未伪魏蟿蠀位慰纬蟻维蠁畏蟽畏蟼 纬喂伪 维谓蟿蟻蔚蟼, 蟿伪 蟺蟻维纬渭伪蟿伪 蟺蔚蟻喂蟺位苇魏慰谓蟿伪喂. 螣 位蠈纬慰蟼; 螣 伪喂谓喂纬渭伪蟿喂魏蠈蟼 魏蠉蟻喂慰蟼 危蔚位蔚位喂蟺苇谓...
270 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2002
574 people are currently reading
7662 people want to read
About the author
Alexander McCall Smith
624听books12.5k听followersAlexander McCall Smith is the author of the international phenomenon The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, the Isabel Dalhousie Series, the Portuguese Irregular Verbs series, and the 44 Scotland Street series. He is professor emeritus of medical law at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and has served on many national and international bodies concerned with bioethics. He was born in what is now known as Zimbabwe and he was a law professor at the University of Botswana. He lives in Scotland. Visit him online at , on , and on .
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,926 reviews
November 25, 2021
Alexander McCall Smith - image from famousauthors.org
Guilt is the subject here. The theme is threaded throughout. The primary client of the book is a mister Molefelo, a hotelier and ostrich farmer. He had committed a crime as a youth and wishes to atone for his sins. Precious helps him of course. Mma Makutsi acquires a beau, Mister Seleliping. She also attempts to begin a new business, and does, the typing school of the title. The detective agency gains competition in the form of a male-run enterprise managed by a very pompous individual.
Jill Scott as Precious Ramotswe - Image from BBC
This is the usual comfortable tale told in the usual manner. Smith maintains his high standard. The cast of characters has come to seem familial. We wonder at Mister Maketoni鈥檚 recovery from depression. What was it all about? Will Makatsi every have a true boyfriend? Will she become rich beyond all her dreams? Will Precious ever get married to Maketoni?
Anika Noni Rose as Grace Makutsi - image from HBO
If you are new to the series. I would stop, go back and read The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. It makes a difference seeing the characters develop over time. The books are short, so it will not take much time to get caught up. And if you can, I would definitely check out the HBO series. It is a true shame that the series was killed after only six episodes. Those shows are precious indeed.
March 15, 2008
Fourth installment in this amazing series. You don't read Mma Ramotswe novels for the action or even for the mysteries. You read them for the gentle rhythm of the narration, the wise philosophy of the characters. In this we rejoin Mma Ramostwe as she waits for her fianc茅e to set a date for their wedding after his illness. Mr Matekoni is slowly coming out of depression and finds his motor repair shop in the good hands of Mma Makutsi who shares her time between the detective agency and the auto repair shop. The joy of these novels is the intimate view of how the characters live, their values, how they set goals for themselves and go after them. Mma Makutsi finds a way to get ahead and make a life for herself beyond the limits of her current situation : single, with a sick brother to take care of and very low income. Mma Ramotswe faces competition with the opening of a new detective agency run by a male detective with international experience. Everything ends well, despite some minor moral growing pains. I like the philosophy, the values McCall Smith projects thru his characters in this simple, yet very nourishing for the soul, series.
November 29, 2022
Things can't get better for Precious Ramotswe鈥檚... good business, kids, partner in life? So a few things are thrown at her - her adopted son get caught up in a case; her assistant, Mma Makutsi wants a hubbie and wants to set up a typing school; and business wise she has a direct competitor whose using gender to promote his detective agency! Can Precious keep her head above water whilst maintaining her integrity, delightful cunning and maddeningly moral approach to life? Well, what do you think?
How the feck does a Scottish writer capture small town Botswana so well? Or is this all idealised? Another nice instalment. A Three Star, 6 out of 12.
2004 read
How the feck does a Scottish writer capture small town Botswana so well? Or is this all idealised? Another nice instalment. A Three Star, 6 out of 12.
2004 read
July 2, 2024
Reading these books I always wish I could live in Botswana myself. It seems like such a lovely place, and in this installment you really felt that. The mood and descriptions of the place really set the stage for a wonderful read.
January 25, 2021
4鈽�
鈥�鈥楨虫-颁滨顿,鈥� said Mma. Ramotswe. 鈥楢 retired policeman then. That is not good news for us. People will love the idea of taking their problems to a retired policeman.鈥�
鈥楢nd ex-New York,鈥� said Mma. Makutsi admiringly. 鈥楾hat will impress people a great deal. They have seen films about New York detectives and they know how good they are.鈥�
Mma. Ramotswe cast a glance at Mma. Makutsi. 鈥楧o you mean Superman?鈥� she asked.
鈥榊别蝉,鈥� said Mma. Makutsi. 鈥楾hat sort of thing. Superman.鈥�鈥�
Oh dear! Competition. And in the form of a pushy, patronising man, but certainly no Superman. They decide to pay him a visit.
鈥�鈥榃e鈥檒l go in and introduce ourselves,鈥� said Mma. Ramotswe. 鈥業 can see somebody inside. They are already at work.鈥�
鈥極n some big important case,鈥� observed Mma. Makutsi ruefully.
鈥楶别谤丑补辫蝉,鈥� said Mma. Ramotswe. 鈥楤ut then again, perhaps not. When people drive past the No. 1 Ladies鈥� Detective Agency and see us inside, they may think that we鈥檙e working on a big important case. Yet most of the time, as you know, we are only sitting there drinking bush tea and reading the 鈥楤otswana Daily News鈥�. So you see that appearances can be deceptive.鈥�鈥�
These are simply written, often fable-like stories about a 鈥渢raditionally built鈥� (her words) woman 鈥渋n her late thirties, which as far as she was concerned was the very finest age to be鈥�, who has a warm heart, an open mind, and a lively intellect.
Precious Ramotswe founded the #1 Ladies鈥� Detective Agency, hired Mma. Makutsi as her assistant, and has now acquired a fianc茅 (Mr. J. L. B. Matekoni, the owner of Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors and boss of two young apprentices), plus two orphans to foster. A crowded, extended 鈥榝amily鈥� for whom she feels responsible.
Mma. Makutsi also wishes to find a life for herself. After all, she was the star graduate of the Botswana Secretarial College, with a 97% score - nothing to be sneezed at! This leads to her starting a typing school and finding a rather sudden influx of men in her life, one in particular whom she mentions to her boss.
鈥�鈥楬e is a very handsome man. With a moustache. He has a moustache and his hair is parted in the middle.鈥�
鈥楢nd have you been out dancing with him? Men with moustaches can be good dancers.鈥�鈥�
Is there anything about which Mma. Ramotswe does not have some knowledge?
Meanwhile, there are people to be tracked down and problems to be solved, if they are to stay ahead of their new rival. If Mma. Ramotswe doesn鈥檛 know someone, she will know someone who does.
鈥�. . . it was hard to disappear completely in Botswana, where there were fewer than two million people and where people had a healthy curiosity as to who was who and where people had come from.鈥�
I always enjoy the different speech patterns and flow of language in these stories. It is unlike the English I am accustomed to, and the bits of background the author gives us add to the atmosphere. Mma. Ramotswe is frightened of the forest near where she lives, but she鈥檚 fond of the place overall. I liked how she thought of the area behind her house.
鈥�. . . the tangle of bush鈥攕tunted thorn trees, high grass, and sundry shrubs鈥攚hich overgrew the back section of her plot. Behind it was a small stretch of wasteland, also overgrown, across which an informal path wound its way. People liked to use this as a shortcut to town, and in the morning one might hear whistling or singing from men on bicycles as they rode along the path. Babies were conceived here, too, especially on Saturday evenings, and Mma. Ramotswe had often thought that at least some of the children whom she saw playing games there had been drawn back by some strange homing instinct to revisit the place where they had started out.鈥�
Life coming full circle? I also got a kick out of another of her thoughts.
鈥淲hy is it that there are always these problems and misunderstandings between men and women? Surely it would have been better if God had made only one sort of person, and the children had come by some other means, with the rain, perhaps.鈥�
Or the stork? Or under a cabbage? These are always reliably entertaining stories, thought-provoking and nudging you a little to think about what life is like in other places. I don鈥檛 know that they have to be read in order, but I think reading the first couple of books would be helpful.
Link to my review of #1
Link to my review of #2
Link to my review of #3
鈥�鈥楨虫-颁滨顿,鈥� said Mma. Ramotswe. 鈥楢 retired policeman then. That is not good news for us. People will love the idea of taking their problems to a retired policeman.鈥�
鈥楢nd ex-New York,鈥� said Mma. Makutsi admiringly. 鈥楾hat will impress people a great deal. They have seen films about New York detectives and they know how good they are.鈥�
Mma. Ramotswe cast a glance at Mma. Makutsi. 鈥楧o you mean Superman?鈥� she asked.
鈥榊别蝉,鈥� said Mma. Makutsi. 鈥楾hat sort of thing. Superman.鈥�鈥�
Oh dear! Competition. And in the form of a pushy, patronising man, but certainly no Superman. They decide to pay him a visit.
鈥�鈥榃e鈥檒l go in and introduce ourselves,鈥� said Mma. Ramotswe. 鈥業 can see somebody inside. They are already at work.鈥�
鈥極n some big important case,鈥� observed Mma. Makutsi ruefully.
鈥楶别谤丑补辫蝉,鈥� said Mma. Ramotswe. 鈥楤ut then again, perhaps not. When people drive past the No. 1 Ladies鈥� Detective Agency and see us inside, they may think that we鈥檙e working on a big important case. Yet most of the time, as you know, we are only sitting there drinking bush tea and reading the 鈥楤otswana Daily News鈥�. So you see that appearances can be deceptive.鈥�鈥�
These are simply written, often fable-like stories about a 鈥渢raditionally built鈥� (her words) woman 鈥渋n her late thirties, which as far as she was concerned was the very finest age to be鈥�, who has a warm heart, an open mind, and a lively intellect.
Precious Ramotswe founded the #1 Ladies鈥� Detective Agency, hired Mma. Makutsi as her assistant, and has now acquired a fianc茅 (Mr. J. L. B. Matekoni, the owner of Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors and boss of two young apprentices), plus two orphans to foster. A crowded, extended 鈥榝amily鈥� for whom she feels responsible.
Mma. Makutsi also wishes to find a life for herself. After all, she was the star graduate of the Botswana Secretarial College, with a 97% score - nothing to be sneezed at! This leads to her starting a typing school and finding a rather sudden influx of men in her life, one in particular whom she mentions to her boss.
鈥�鈥楬e is a very handsome man. With a moustache. He has a moustache and his hair is parted in the middle.鈥�
鈥楢nd have you been out dancing with him? Men with moustaches can be good dancers.鈥�鈥�
Is there anything about which Mma. Ramotswe does not have some knowledge?
Meanwhile, there are people to be tracked down and problems to be solved, if they are to stay ahead of their new rival. If Mma. Ramotswe doesn鈥檛 know someone, she will know someone who does.
鈥�. . . it was hard to disappear completely in Botswana, where there were fewer than two million people and where people had a healthy curiosity as to who was who and where people had come from.鈥�
I always enjoy the different speech patterns and flow of language in these stories. It is unlike the English I am accustomed to, and the bits of background the author gives us add to the atmosphere. Mma. Ramotswe is frightened of the forest near where she lives, but she鈥檚 fond of the place overall. I liked how she thought of the area behind her house.
鈥�. . . the tangle of bush鈥攕tunted thorn trees, high grass, and sundry shrubs鈥攚hich overgrew the back section of her plot. Behind it was a small stretch of wasteland, also overgrown, across which an informal path wound its way. People liked to use this as a shortcut to town, and in the morning one might hear whistling or singing from men on bicycles as they rode along the path. Babies were conceived here, too, especially on Saturday evenings, and Mma. Ramotswe had often thought that at least some of the children whom she saw playing games there had been drawn back by some strange homing instinct to revisit the place where they had started out.鈥�
Life coming full circle? I also got a kick out of another of her thoughts.
鈥淲hy is it that there are always these problems and misunderstandings between men and women? Surely it would have been better if God had made only one sort of person, and the children had come by some other means, with the rain, perhaps.鈥�
Or the stork? Or under a cabbage? These are always reliably entertaining stories, thought-provoking and nudging you a little to think about what life is like in other places. I don鈥檛 know that they have to be read in order, but I think reading the first couple of books would be helpful.
Link to my review of #1
Link to my review of #2
Link to my review of #3
January 2, 2024
***Fifth read***
Enjoying this series even more, rereading this time with my husband. We both enjoy the series so much! God bless you, AMS! Long may you wave 馃彺鬆仹鬆仮鬆伋鬆仯鬆伌鬆伩馃嚞馃嚙
***Fourth read***
I'll never stop reading this series. 馃榾
***Third read***
I can't get enough of this series. Every time, they just get better. The audio performance by Lisette Lecat is just perfect, in every way, and since I listen more than read, I enjoy her performance as much as the words.
Please, please listen to this series. Most libraries offer the downloads for free. I highly recommend them.
I'm so glad this series stands up well to rereads, as I love them all so much. 馃挋
****Second read****
4.25 stars. This is a wonderful series I thoroughly enjoy reading. AMS's humor is all over these books, and I'm always chuckling as I'm reading or listening. These characters are real, and for the most part, they are kind people. The community sticks together and helps each other. It's just what you do, and not even thought of as being especially anything other than human to do for others.
This is a series to read when you want to have faith in humankind, when you want to smile, when you want to read about a simpler place and time. Mma Ramotswe is just priceless; we all need to have a Mma Ramotswe or two in our lives.
I want to once again thank Mr. Alexander McCall Smith for sharing his wisdom, sense of humor, kindness and humanity, as well as his love for Botswana with the world. The world is a better place because of this man and his novels. Thank you, sir.
****First read review****
4.5 stars. I love this series so much. In my opinion, it's the best series currently being written. Nothing earthshaking going on, but it's about people who try to do the best they can all the time to help one another. And it can be pretty funny too. And not at all crude or off-color, but not sickening sweet either.
I just love it! I can see why it's internationally loved.
Enjoying this series even more, rereading this time with my husband. We both enjoy the series so much! God bless you, AMS! Long may you wave 馃彺鬆仹鬆仮鬆伋鬆仯鬆伌鬆伩馃嚞馃嚙
***Fourth read***
I'll never stop reading this series. 馃榾
***Third read***
I can't get enough of this series. Every time, they just get better. The audio performance by Lisette Lecat is just perfect, in every way, and since I listen more than read, I enjoy her performance as much as the words.
Please, please listen to this series. Most libraries offer the downloads for free. I highly recommend them.
I'm so glad this series stands up well to rereads, as I love them all so much. 馃挋
****Second read****
4.25 stars. This is a wonderful series I thoroughly enjoy reading. AMS's humor is all over these books, and I'm always chuckling as I'm reading or listening. These characters are real, and for the most part, they are kind people. The community sticks together and helps each other. It's just what you do, and not even thought of as being especially anything other than human to do for others.
This is a series to read when you want to have faith in humankind, when you want to smile, when you want to read about a simpler place and time. Mma Ramotswe is just priceless; we all need to have a Mma Ramotswe or two in our lives.
I want to once again thank Mr. Alexander McCall Smith for sharing his wisdom, sense of humor, kindness and humanity, as well as his love for Botswana with the world. The world is a better place because of this man and his novels. Thank you, sir.
****First read review****
4.5 stars. I love this series so much. In my opinion, it's the best series currently being written. Nothing earthshaking going on, but it's about people who try to do the best they can all the time to help one another. And it can be pretty funny too. And not at all crude or off-color, but not sickening sweet either.
I just love it! I can see why it's internationally loved.
July 25, 2016
These books drive me crazy, but instead of talking about what I don't like about them, I want to say what I do like. I keep reading them for some reason, so I think it is about time I figure out why.
The first reason is that the author, clearly, has an affection for Botswana. He describes cattle in a way that makes me want to love cows. He describes a desert in way that makes me want to vacation there.
The second is that I can appreciate a book that isn't in a hurry, I read a lot of action/adventure books, so I like the way this book takes its time and concentrates on human interaction, but still respects the fact that there is a plot to developed.
There are many books in this series, so I'll discuss what I don't like, next time.
October 17, 2017
A delightfully gentle series of books by Alexander McCall Smith - set in and around Botswana's capital city of Gaborone and stories of the 'No.1 Ladies Detective Agency'.
McCall Smith has created a lovely world of mainly (very) amateurish sleuthing - which whilst ostensibly the theme which is central to these books, is ultimately almost incidental. The main draw here is the cast of well drawn, well written, very memorable and on the whole very endearing (if occasionally frustrating) characters - Precious Ramostwe, Grace Makutsi, J.L.B. Matekoni et al and the interplay of their lives - the detective work and cases here become increasingly an incidental backdrop.
The 'No.1 Ladies Detective Agency' stories and characters certainly have an air of authenticity and believability (although obviously contrived and significantly exaggerated for comic effect) and interestingly McCall Smith did spend some time living and working in Botswana.
The first few books in the series are undoubtedly the strongest, funniest, most entertaining and compelling. Whilst later installments are all good - they do feel like somewhat of retread of ideas that McCall has spun out perhaps beyond their natural course.
Whilst serious themes are alluded to - feminism, AIDS and domestic violence; there is little here that is particularly thought provoking or challenging - but then that's not the point here. For anyone wanting a series of light, likeable, entertaining, funny, absorbing, well written and compelling amateur detective books - with a difference, then the 'No.1 Ladies Detective Agency' books are a must.
Good stories, simple truths - people doing the right thing. Ultimately these stories are all about kindness, forgiveness, restitution and resolution. Which in itself is surely a good enough reason to read at least some of this lovely series of books?
McCall Smith has created a lovely world of mainly (very) amateurish sleuthing - which whilst ostensibly the theme which is central to these books, is ultimately almost incidental. The main draw here is the cast of well drawn, well written, very memorable and on the whole very endearing (if occasionally frustrating) characters - Precious Ramostwe, Grace Makutsi, J.L.B. Matekoni et al and the interplay of their lives - the detective work and cases here become increasingly an incidental backdrop.
The 'No.1 Ladies Detective Agency' stories and characters certainly have an air of authenticity and believability (although obviously contrived and significantly exaggerated for comic effect) and interestingly McCall Smith did spend some time living and working in Botswana.
The first few books in the series are undoubtedly the strongest, funniest, most entertaining and compelling. Whilst later installments are all good - they do feel like somewhat of retread of ideas that McCall has spun out perhaps beyond their natural course.
Whilst serious themes are alluded to - feminism, AIDS and domestic violence; there is little here that is particularly thought provoking or challenging - but then that's not the point here. For anyone wanting a series of light, likeable, entertaining, funny, absorbing, well written and compelling amateur detective books - with a difference, then the 'No.1 Ladies Detective Agency' books are a must.
Good stories, simple truths - people doing the right thing. Ultimately these stories are all about kindness, forgiveness, restitution and resolution. Which in itself is surely a good enough reason to read at least some of this lovely series of books?
July 23, 2007
Just as with all the other books in the Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency series, this one evokes a clear sense of place and characters. Simply put, it makes me want to be in Botswana right now. One of the things I like best about Alexander McCall Smith's writing is the way he develops his characters through their lives and actions and not much in the way of a narrator's analysis. The author seems to feel a great deal of affection for his characters even when they make unwise choices. These books are fresh, unpredictable, and plain ol' addictive. I actually read this one but have listened to the previous ones in the series on audio CD. I'd recommend listening to at least one title in this series to hear the cadence of the names and places.
August 31, 2022
The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency books by Alexander McCall Smith are set in Botswana around the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency, set up by Precious Ramotswe or Mma Ramotswe, who has been through a bad marriage and then with the support of her father picks herself up. Later with the inheritance he leaves her, she buys a home and sets up the detective agency, the only one in Gaborone (or rather Botswana I think). The cases she takes up aren鈥檛 great mysteries, but smaller problems from errant husbands to missing people, and she uses her knowledge of human nature as well as Botswanan traditions and beliefs to resolve things. During the course of the series, she meets and becomes engaged to Mr J.L.B Maketone, who runs a garage, and acquires an assistant, Mma Grace Makutsi. I had read the first in this series years ago, a few years after it came out and enjoyed its gentle charm very much but somehow lost track after that and never read any more. Then a couple of years ago, a friend reminded me of them so I picked up a few from a second-hand shop, all from the earlier entries in the series (which now has 22 books), and have been reading them.
The Kalahari Typing School for Men (2002) is book 4 in the series. As this one opens, Mma Ramotswe is engaged to Mr J. L. B. Maketone and the detective agency is being run from the garage premises, with Mma Makutsi acting a both assistant detective and garage manager. Mma Ramotswe also has two children, Motholeli and Puso, from the 鈥極rphan Farm鈥� living with her for Mr J.L.B. Maketone has agreed to foster them. The agency and garage are earning ok but not exceptionally well, and paying Mma Makutse the best they can. Mma Makutse is pressed for money having to send money home, take care of her brother who is ill, and pay the rent, and comes up with a scheme to earn some more. Having been the best student her own secretarial school ever had (having scored 97 per cent鈥攏o one came close), she decides to start typing classes for men. Alongside, Mma Ramotswe feels it is time Mma Makutsi too found love.
The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency meanwhile is facing some competition, with a flashy new agency, the Satisfaction Guaranteed Detective Agency run by an ex-CID man, which has fancy furniture and a fancier brochure and tries to harp on the fact that as a 鈥檓an鈥�, he is better suited to the job. Mma Ramotswe is worried of course, but cases still come her way, a man shaken by recent events wants to make reparations for some wrongs he committed as a youth and hires her to find the people involved, while another woman wants help catching her errant husband (the second case has a small complication which the reader knows sooner than Mma Ramotswe). At the garage, the apprentices have become better behaved under the charge of Mma Makutsi and one has even found the church, but the two foster children are facing some problems at school and Mma Ramotswe must work out how best to address them.
The Kalahari Typing School for Men was, like whatever I have read in this series so far, a gentle and charming read, one that gives one a sense of peace and happiness reading even though it is all about everyday life. The characters face problems, cases and the people they meet reveal the good and bad side of things, there is cheating and hurt, and much else as in life, but still (like the Miss Read books in a way), pleasant, pleasant reading.
Mma Ramotswe is a wonderful character who learns from every experience. She has made mistakes in the past and lost much, but is strong and has picked herself up to start afresh. She understands people and is able to tackle them through that knowledge. I love how she uses both this understanding and traditions and beliefs from Botswana to solve the cases that come before her or indeed handle everyday matters, whether it is the apprentices or Mma Makutsi or Mr J.L.B. Maketone, himself.
My favourite part of the series though is the look it gives us into Botswanan life and culture, from forms of address to social interaction, food, property, daily life, the changes that the country is undergoing in terms of loss of or changes in beliefs and values, and much else including expressions used in speech which are peculiar to the country. These make a great way to get not only an introduction to the country but a real sense of it, and of life there.
With a great deal of charm, likeable characters, and also a lot of wisdom about life and people, these books always make for lovely reading.
The Kalahari Typing School for Men (2002) is book 4 in the series. As this one opens, Mma Ramotswe is engaged to Mr J. L. B. Maketone and the detective agency is being run from the garage premises, with Mma Makutsi acting a both assistant detective and garage manager. Mma Ramotswe also has two children, Motholeli and Puso, from the 鈥極rphan Farm鈥� living with her for Mr J.L.B. Maketone has agreed to foster them. The agency and garage are earning ok but not exceptionally well, and paying Mma Makutse the best they can. Mma Makutse is pressed for money having to send money home, take care of her brother who is ill, and pay the rent, and comes up with a scheme to earn some more. Having been the best student her own secretarial school ever had (having scored 97 per cent鈥攏o one came close), she decides to start typing classes for men. Alongside, Mma Ramotswe feels it is time Mma Makutsi too found love.
The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency meanwhile is facing some competition, with a flashy new agency, the Satisfaction Guaranteed Detective Agency run by an ex-CID man, which has fancy furniture and a fancier brochure and tries to harp on the fact that as a 鈥檓an鈥�, he is better suited to the job. Mma Ramotswe is worried of course, but cases still come her way, a man shaken by recent events wants to make reparations for some wrongs he committed as a youth and hires her to find the people involved, while another woman wants help catching her errant husband (the second case has a small complication which the reader knows sooner than Mma Ramotswe). At the garage, the apprentices have become better behaved under the charge of Mma Makutsi and one has even found the church, but the two foster children are facing some problems at school and Mma Ramotswe must work out how best to address them.
The Kalahari Typing School for Men was, like whatever I have read in this series so far, a gentle and charming read, one that gives one a sense of peace and happiness reading even though it is all about everyday life. The characters face problems, cases and the people they meet reveal the good and bad side of things, there is cheating and hurt, and much else as in life, but still (like the Miss Read books in a way), pleasant, pleasant reading.
Mma Ramotswe is a wonderful character who learns from every experience. She has made mistakes in the past and lost much, but is strong and has picked herself up to start afresh. She understands people and is able to tackle them through that knowledge. I love how she uses both this understanding and traditions and beliefs from Botswana to solve the cases that come before her or indeed handle everyday matters, whether it is the apprentices or Mma Makutsi or Mr J.L.B. Maketone, himself.
My favourite part of the series though is the look it gives us into Botswanan life and culture, from forms of address to social interaction, food, property, daily life, the changes that the country is undergoing in terms of loss of or changes in beliefs and values, and much else including expressions used in speech which are peculiar to the country. These make a great way to get not only an introduction to the country but a real sense of it, and of life there.
With a great deal of charm, likeable characters, and also a lot of wisdom about life and people, these books always make for lovely reading.
September 18, 2020
In this 4th volume of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, there are many subplots. It seemed like while I was listening, there was not much work going on for the agency. When I got to the end, though, the many threads were tied together with a few left danging for the 5th book. I love travelling to Botswana via this series and will keep on reading. The audio books are so well done!
January 15, 2016
Africa is a continent that is somehow really close to my heart. This is largely because I have had several friends from the continent, coming from Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria to name a few. One of my closest friends after marriage is from Liberia. Added to this fact, is that my husband makes regular visits to the continent during the course of his work and comes home with some splendid tales about living in that continent. Botswana was a mystery for me, despite the fact that I have a cousin living there and who has lived there since a very long time.
With this series, however, I was introduced to this wonderful country and its people and culture. For that alone this, would deserve high praise, but when you add to it a lovely story that is part cozy mystery and part cultural treatise; it definitely becomes a personal favourite, one that stays with me even after I finish reading it. Long are the echoes of Mma Ramotswe and her nuggets of wisdom regarding people in general and Botswanan culture in particular.
This is the fourth book in this series and, like the other three, it opens with Mma Ramotswe talking about certain issues that bother her. In this case, she is firstly worried about Mma Makutsi, who is losing her self confidence as she is still unmarried. Additionally, her adopted son is also causing problems, especially behavioural, which she cannot understand and therefore solve. Mma Ramotswe has no experience in raising children, so it is natural that she feels uncertain about raising her adoptive kids. Also there is a new detective agency that has opened in her town, which means that she needs to deal with competition. Mma Makutsi, on the other hand, is also worried about her finances and chances of a secure earning, which leads her to think of different options to earn money; one such idea is the Kalahari Typing School for Men.
Amidst these two issues, Mma Ramotswe receives two potential cases, both quite different from the other and yet both extremely of a personal nature. While these issues might not seem like much and pretty mundane at that, what makes the book beautiful is the way in which the author has blended African and especially Botswanan culture and small niceties in this book. While reading this book, or for that matter any book in this series, I have a slight smile on my face; one that depicts my happiness at reading such a beautiful prose.
Africa and its culture comes to life under the gentle touch of the author and this is extremely difficult, especially when you are writing a cozy mystery. Mma Ramotswe鈥檚 talent at getting the best out of people, the African need to know about everyone in their home town and their allusions to the older and more sedate Botswana, all remind me of how things work in India. Indian villages are quite similar in their approach and ability to interact with this African country. The need to exhibit respect for elders, the proper way of interaction, the casual and gentle nudging out of local gossip, all make me feel as if I were reading about an Indian village and this makes the book extra special to me.
In short, this was an enjoyable read and I am already looking forward to reading the next in the series. If you haven鈥檛 read this one, I suggest that you begin with book 1. Don鈥檛 expect great mystery solving abilities, instead look at it as a beautiful river that flows gently and waters the areas that it passes; a river that enriches your knowledge about Botswana and African culture in general.
With this series, however, I was introduced to this wonderful country and its people and culture. For that alone this, would deserve high praise, but when you add to it a lovely story that is part cozy mystery and part cultural treatise; it definitely becomes a personal favourite, one that stays with me even after I finish reading it. Long are the echoes of Mma Ramotswe and her nuggets of wisdom regarding people in general and Botswanan culture in particular.
This is the fourth book in this series and, like the other three, it opens with Mma Ramotswe talking about certain issues that bother her. In this case, she is firstly worried about Mma Makutsi, who is losing her self confidence as she is still unmarried. Additionally, her adopted son is also causing problems, especially behavioural, which she cannot understand and therefore solve. Mma Ramotswe has no experience in raising children, so it is natural that she feels uncertain about raising her adoptive kids. Also there is a new detective agency that has opened in her town, which means that she needs to deal with competition. Mma Makutsi, on the other hand, is also worried about her finances and chances of a secure earning, which leads her to think of different options to earn money; one such idea is the Kalahari Typing School for Men.
Amidst these two issues, Mma Ramotswe receives two potential cases, both quite different from the other and yet both extremely of a personal nature. While these issues might not seem like much and pretty mundane at that, what makes the book beautiful is the way in which the author has blended African and especially Botswanan culture and small niceties in this book. While reading this book, or for that matter any book in this series, I have a slight smile on my face; one that depicts my happiness at reading such a beautiful prose.
Africa and its culture comes to life under the gentle touch of the author and this is extremely difficult, especially when you are writing a cozy mystery. Mma Ramotswe鈥檚 talent at getting the best out of people, the African need to know about everyone in their home town and their allusions to the older and more sedate Botswana, all remind me of how things work in India. Indian villages are quite similar in their approach and ability to interact with this African country. The need to exhibit respect for elders, the proper way of interaction, the casual and gentle nudging out of local gossip, all make me feel as if I were reading about an Indian village and this makes the book extra special to me.
In short, this was an enjoyable read and I am already looking forward to reading the next in the series. If you haven鈥檛 read this one, I suggest that you begin with book 1. Don鈥檛 expect great mystery solving abilities, instead look at it as a beautiful river that flows gently and waters the areas that it passes; a river that enriches your knowledge about Botswana and African culture in general.
May 4, 2018
Another lovely slice of Botswana, served as always with Mma Ramotswe's wisdom and philosophy. In this book we see Mma Makutsi come into her own with her new business venture and rise unscathed from a
A man feels bad about his behaviour in the past and enlists Mma Ramotswe to help him find those on the receiving end so he can make amends.
A rival detective agency sets up shop nearby and makes some sexist comments in his advertising about entrusting an investigation to a man! Hackles rise, quite understandably. There is some lovely humour in these parts
This copy has a lovely picture of Alexandra McCall Smith inside the front cover. He is in his library, leaning on a tuba-Lovely!
A man feels bad about his behaviour in the past and enlists Mma Ramotswe to help him find those on the receiving end so he can make amends.
A rival detective agency sets up shop nearby and makes some sexist comments in his advertising about entrusting an investigation to a man! Hackles rise, quite understandably. There is some lovely humour in these parts
This copy has a lovely picture of Alexandra McCall Smith inside the front cover. He is in his library, leaning on a tuba-Lovely!
July 25, 2021
Precious Ramotswe has several more cases to work on in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency in Botswana. Her good people skills lead to satisfactory outcomes for everyone.
Her assistant, Mma. Makutsi, opens an evening typing school for men. In addition to bringing in extra income to help support her relatives, she's hoping for an opportunity to meet an eligible man.
This charming cozy series has a good sense of place since the author lived in Botswana for many years. Mma. Ramotswe again treats her friends and her clients with warmth and fairness.
Her assistant, Mma. Makutsi, opens an evening typing school for men. In addition to bringing in extra income to help support her relatives, she's hoping for an opportunity to meet an eligible man.
This charming cozy series has a good sense of place since the author lived in Botswana for many years. Mma. Ramotswe again treats her friends and her clients with warmth and fairness.
July 22, 2023
English version below
Ein weiterer unterhaltsamer Roman aus der Cozy Crime-Reihe 眉ber Botswanas cleverste Privatdetektivin.
Diesmal musste ich besonders schmunzeln bei der Idee eine neu zu gr眉ndende Fahrschule 鈥淟erne Autofahren mit Jesus鈥� zu nennen.
Wer gerne unblutige Geschichten, bei denen sich bei den 鈥淜riminalf盲llen鈥� eher um die Verwicklungen der menschlichen Natur handelt, liest und noch dazu etwas 眉ber Botswana erfahren will, ist mit dieser Reihe wirklich gut bedient.
-----------------------------
Another entertaining novel from the cozy crime series about Botswana's cleverest female private detective.
This time I had to smile especially at the idea of calling a new driving school "Learn to drive with Jesus".
If you like to read bloodless stories, where the "criminal cases" are more about the intricacies of human nature, and also want to learn something about Botswana, this series is a really good choice.
Ein weiterer unterhaltsamer Roman aus der Cozy Crime-Reihe 眉ber Botswanas cleverste Privatdetektivin.
Diesmal musste ich besonders schmunzeln bei der Idee eine neu zu gr眉ndende Fahrschule 鈥淟erne Autofahren mit Jesus鈥� zu nennen.
Wer gerne unblutige Geschichten, bei denen sich bei den 鈥淜riminalf盲llen鈥� eher um die Verwicklungen der menschlichen Natur handelt, liest und noch dazu etwas 眉ber Botswana erfahren will, ist mit dieser Reihe wirklich gut bedient.
-----------------------------
Another entertaining novel from the cozy crime series about Botswana's cleverest female private detective.
This time I had to smile especially at the idea of calling a new driving school "Learn to drive with Jesus".
If you like to read bloodless stories, where the "criminal cases" are more about the intricacies of human nature, and also want to learn something about Botswana, this series is a really good choice.
February 16, 2010
I just can't seem to get enough of this series.
I find it soothing, but not boring. I love the setting and learning more about Botswana. But mostly I love the lifestyle of the main character. I love her simplicity. I love that they live in a non-materialistic world so that the focus is truly on important things. I love the kindness she shows to everyone. I love the directness and honesty of almost all the characters. I love the way they greet each other as family and welcome new people into their lives. I love their acceptance of each other and their forgiveness. I love the way she follows her intuition and logic together. I love the way she stays true to the old ways, the respectful ways.
They are just a nice, comfortable read. And the ability of the author to maintain quality book after book is impressive. I love spending time with his characters.
I find it soothing, but not boring. I love the setting and learning more about Botswana. But mostly I love the lifestyle of the main character. I love her simplicity. I love that they live in a non-materialistic world so that the focus is truly on important things. I love the kindness she shows to everyone. I love the directness and honesty of almost all the characters. I love the way they greet each other as family and welcome new people into their lives. I love their acceptance of each other and their forgiveness. I love the way she follows her intuition and logic together. I love the way she stays true to the old ways, the respectful ways.
They are just a nice, comfortable read. And the ability of the author to maintain quality book after book is impressive. I love spending time with his characters.
April 10, 2016
The story of _Kalahari Typing School for Men_ was much like its immediate predecessor, _Morality for Beautiful Girls_. The novel focuses a great amount on the development of some characters, and leaves others "out to dry", and ultimately strays away from the things that made books 1 and 2 of the series so good: the cases, the interactions, and the values of the Botswana people. That is not to say that this book does not have any detective cases, but I find the novels have shifted from their original focus. However, one thing that I did like about this book is the increased role and development of Mma Makutsi. She is a great characters, and until book 3, Mma Makutsi existed in the shadows. I look forward to seeing her develop more in the next books.
October 25, 2008
Yay for this series! I'm glad there are so many. It actually inspired me to read more about Botswana. Here is a nugget from this book:
"People's lives were delicate; you cannot interfere with them without running the risk of changing them profoundly. A chance remark, a careless involvement, may make the difference between a life of happiness and one of sorrow."
pg 164
"People's lives were delicate; you cannot interfere with them without running the risk of changing them profoundly. A chance remark, a careless involvement, may make the difference between a life of happiness and one of sorrow."
pg 164
August 16, 2010
My colleague and I have recently groused together that a certain novelist who writes a certain set of trashy novels to which we are both addicted, is such a poor writer that even though the novels are set in Lousiana, when we read the dialogue what we hear in our minds' ears are the voices of people just like us who live in the Pacific Northwest. And upon reading these admittedly addicting trashy novels, I have no reason to picture the heat and damp and mosquitos with which I know Louisiana must be afflicted, because the author does nothing to help me imagine the setting.
Nothing can be further from the writing of Alexander McCall Smith, author of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, of which The Kalahari Typing School for Men is the first book I've read. When I read the words on Mr. Smith's pages, I hear the measured lilt of a Botswana accent, and his characters have such rich inner lives that I am able to nod with satisfaction that each is behaving according to his own character. Mr. Smith's writing is beautiful and wonderfully evocative; I can imagine the garage, the house, the bush, the little white van, the cattle with their beautiful eyes, and the field with its endless sky. The pace of his story was slow, as measured and lilting as a Botswana voice must surely be, and the story's arc was satisfying. I will read more books in this series.
Nothing can be further from the writing of Alexander McCall Smith, author of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, of which The Kalahari Typing School for Men is the first book I've read. When I read the words on Mr. Smith's pages, I hear the measured lilt of a Botswana accent, and his characters have such rich inner lives that I am able to nod with satisfaction that each is behaving according to his own character. Mr. Smith's writing is beautiful and wonderfully evocative; I can imagine the garage, the house, the bush, the little white van, the cattle with their beautiful eyes, and the field with its endless sky. The pace of his story was slow, as measured and lilting as a Botswana voice must surely be, and the story's arc was satisfying. I will read more books in this series.
August 29, 2010
I'm not entirely sure, but I think Alexander McCall Smith made a sort of cameo in this book! Mma Ramotswe is looking at some photographs with a friend, and she sees a man in one of them, smiling, and asks who it is. Her friend says he is a nice man who stays with them sometimes, and writes books. "You would like him." "I'm sure I would." I giggled: I'm sure this is the author referencing himself!
But anyway: another delightful novel about Mma Ramotswe, her detective agency, and her friends. What I love about these books is that it isn't just some long murder mystery, it's a series of smaller mysteries, human mysteries: can you find this person for me, do you know where my husband is going at night? It's more real and more human. There is also the day-to-day drama of their lives: Mma Ramotswe, her fiance, the foster children, their friends. In this particular book, Mma Makutsi starts a typing school for men, and falls for one of her students, while Mma Ramotswe is busy on a most delicate case indeed. These books have a slow and dreamy quality, but they are quality, and the writin is beautiful and joyous to read.
But anyway: another delightful novel about Mma Ramotswe, her detective agency, and her friends. What I love about these books is that it isn't just some long murder mystery, it's a series of smaller mysteries, human mysteries: can you find this person for me, do you know where my husband is going at night? It's more real and more human. There is also the day-to-day drama of their lives: Mma Ramotswe, her fiance, the foster children, their friends. In this particular book, Mma Makutsi starts a typing school for men, and falls for one of her students, while Mma Ramotswe is busy on a most delicate case indeed. These books have a slow and dreamy quality, but they are quality, and the writin is beautiful and joyous to read.
June 8, 2014
The Satisfaction Guaranteed Detective Agency has opened across town, and it is drawing attention. The brusk owner Cephas Buthelezi, who claims to be ex-CID, is polite to Mma Precious Ramotswe, owner of No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency when she comes to visit her new competition, but he is rude to Mma Makutsi, her partner and assistant manager. It is worrisome that a man of such credentials has opened a detective business in the small town in Botswana, a country of 2 million people.
Ramotswe is not really earning enough to stay in business, but she and Makutsi have already helped so many people, earning trust and good will. With the agreement of her fianc茅, Mr. J. L. B. Matekobi, proprietor of Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors, she maintains a very clean and inviting office in the back of Matekobi's garage and keeps her doors open with enough clients that there is much mutual advantage for all. However, there is not enough cash being earned. Perhaps she should push Matekobi to get married at last?
Her two foster children are a worry as well, especially Puso, the boy. He killed a hoopoe with a stone, and he is unaccountably sullen and angry. Could it be something at school? She makes a note to herself to visit with the orphanage and Mma Potokwani and get advice.
Mma Makutsi has started a third job for herself. Besides being Mma Ramotswe's assistant and also Matekobi's assistant in the garage, she opens a typing school for men. It is going very well, and one of the men has taken a personal interest in her! The problem is Mma Ramotswe has learned from one of her clients that the gentleman is hiding a very important fact about his availability for marriage - he has a wife.
The problems seem without solutions unless Mma Ramotswe can find a way for everyone to save face with minimum harm - it is unthinkable to her to cause unnecessary pain. Everyone has sins on their conscience - but she knows the confession of sin is not what saves the day, but it is in the fixing of the damage that makes it right.
Ramotswe is not really earning enough to stay in business, but she and Makutsi have already helped so many people, earning trust and good will. With the agreement of her fianc茅, Mr. J. L. B. Matekobi, proprietor of Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors, she maintains a very clean and inviting office in the back of Matekobi's garage and keeps her doors open with enough clients that there is much mutual advantage for all. However, there is not enough cash being earned. Perhaps she should push Matekobi to get married at last?
Her two foster children are a worry as well, especially Puso, the boy. He killed a hoopoe with a stone, and he is unaccountably sullen and angry. Could it be something at school? She makes a note to herself to visit with the orphanage and Mma Potokwani and get advice.
Mma Makutsi has started a third job for herself. Besides being Mma Ramotswe's assistant and also Matekobi's assistant in the garage, she opens a typing school for men. It is going very well, and one of the men has taken a personal interest in her! The problem is Mma Ramotswe has learned from one of her clients that the gentleman is hiding a very important fact about his availability for marriage - he has a wife.
The problems seem without solutions unless Mma Ramotswe can find a way for everyone to save face with minimum harm - it is unthinkable to her to cause unnecessary pain. Everyone has sins on their conscience - but she knows the confession of sin is not what saves the day, but it is in the fixing of the damage that makes it right.
March 24, 2010
More slow charm and gentle truth seeking from our friends at the #1 Ladies Detective Agency, who now have a competitor in the form of the Satisfaction Guaranteed Detective Agency (鈥淒on鈥檛 take any chances! Entrust your inquiries to a MAN!鈥�). A ten year old could see the competition isn鈥檛 going to be that stiff, but the lack of subtlety is one of the most delightful qualities of these books, partly because it reminds me that most people really aren鈥檛 that adept at hiding unpleasant traits, and partly because it gives Mma Ramatswe material for her commentaries on men.
This one has a couple of bittersweet storylines that pulled at my sympathies 鈥� the trusty assistant Mma Makutsi starts her own business and becomes involved in a bit of an intrigue, and Mma Ramatswe has a client who needs help rectifying a past sin. Mma Ramatswe doesn鈥檛 have murders to solve, but she does have to deal with other crimes and failings that must be put right, and this she does with compassion and principles.
This one has a couple of bittersweet storylines that pulled at my sympathies 鈥� the trusty assistant Mma Makutsi starts her own business and becomes involved in a bit of an intrigue, and Mma Ramatswe has a client who needs help rectifying a past sin. Mma Ramatswe doesn鈥檛 have murders to solve, but she does have to deal with other crimes and failings that must be put right, and this she does with compassion and principles.
May 11, 2020
Another outstanding adventure with the No. 1 Ladies' Detective, Mma Ramotswe, her assistant Mma Makutsi and the best mechanic in Botswana, Rra J. L. B. Matekoni. Mma Ramotswe helps people right wrongs from the past and save face with current missteps. She skillfully engages even the hapless mechanic apprentices in giving her needed help. Full of life lessons drawn from the wisdom of the traditional Botswana morality which Mma Romotswe holds so dear.
Why I'm reading this: Comfort and joy! I'm on a roll with this series, rereading in order after many years.
Why I'm reading this: Comfort and joy! I'm on a roll with this series, rereading in order after many years.
August 30, 2013
This series is my current comfort-read. A lovely world to escape into for late-night reading, beautifully written, sensitively told. Really life-enhancing. Wonderful.
July 2, 2024
笑懈褌邪褌:
"袚谢邪胁薪懈褟褌 锌褉芯斜谢械屑 薪邪 褋泻褍褔薪懈褌械 褏芯褉邪, 褋邪 褌褟褏薪懈褌械 薪械褉械邪谢懈褋褌懈褔薪懈 芯褔邪泻胁邪薪懈褟."
"袚谢邪胁薪懈褟褌 锌褉芯斜谢械屑 薪邪 褋泻褍褔薪懈褌械 褏芯褉邪, 褋邪 褌褟褏薪懈褌械 薪械褉械邪谢懈褋褌懈褔薪懈 芯褔邪泻胁邪薪懈褟."
March 27, 2017
Still charming though not enough investigating, which was missing for me.
July 30, 2017
袛褍屑械谢邪*, 斜褉邪褌褟 懈 褋械褋褌褉懈!
小褌懈谐薪邪褏 写芯 锌械褌邪褌邪 褔邪褋褌 蟹邪 袛邪屑褋泻邪褌邪 写械褌械泻褌懈胁褋泻邪 邪谐械薪褑懈褟 鈩�1 薪邪 袗谢械谐蟹邪薪写褗褉 袦邪泻泻芯谢 小屑懈褌 懈 懈褋泻邪屑 写邪 泻邪卸邪, 褔械 芯褋胁械薪, 褔械 胁械褔械 褋褗屑 褍卸邪褋薪芯 薪械褌褗褉锌械谢懈胁邪 泻芯谐邪 薪邪泄-薪邪泻褉邪褟 谐芯褋锌芯写懈薪 袛卸. 袥. 袘. 袦邪褌械泻芯薪懈 褖械 褋械 芯卸械薪懈 蟹邪 屑邪邪 袩褉械褕褗褋 袪邪屑芯褌褋胁械 (泻芯褟褌芯 褋械 谐芯褉写械械 褋 褌褉邪写懈褑懈芯薪薪芯褌芯 褋懈 褌械谢芯褋谢芯卸械薪懈械, 卸懈胁械械褖邪 胁 薪邪泄-胁械谢懈泻邪褌邪 褋褌褉邪薪邪 胁 袗褎褉懈泻邪, 邪泻芯 薪械 懈 胁 褑械谢懈褟 褋胁褟褌), 写褗褉卸邪 写邪 斜谢邪谐芯写邪褉褟 薪邪 笑胁械褌邪薪泻邪 小械胁写懈薪邪, 褔械 屑懈 锌褉械锌芯褉褗褔邪 褌芯蟹懈 邪胁褌芯褉 (械, 褌褉褗谐薪邪褏 芯褌 写褉褍谐懈 泻薪懈谐懈, 薪芯 褖械 褋褌懈谐薪邪 懈 写芯 锌芯褉褌褍谐邪谢褋泻懈褌械 薪械锌褉邪胁懈谢薪懈 谐谢邪谐芯谢懈 懈 芯褋芯斜械薪芯褋褌懈褌械 薪邪 褋邪谢邪屑芯胁懈写薪懈褌械 泻褍褔械褌邪 胁 泻芯屑锌邪薪懈褟褌邪 薪邪 肖芯薪 袠谐械谢褎械谢写, 薪械屑懈薪褍械屑芯 械). 袟邪 褋褗卸邪谢械薪懈械 胁 褌褉械褌邪褌邪 褔邪褋褌 褋胁邪褌斜邪褌邪 褋械 芯褌谢芯卸懈, 蟹邪褖芯褌芯 谐芯褋锌芯写懈薪 袛卸. 袥. 袘. 袦邪褌械泻芯薪懈 懈蟹锌邪写薪邪 胁 写械锌褉械褋懈褟, 邪 屑邪邪 袪邪屑芯褌褋胁械 褏胁邪薪邪 胁邪卸械薪 泻谢懈械薪褌 芯褌 锌褉邪胁懈褌械谢褋褌胁芯褌芯, 薪芯 锌褗泻 屑邪邪 袦邪泻褍褌褋懈 锌芯谢褍褔懈 谢懈褔薪懈褟 褋懈 褌褉懈褍屑褎 泻邪褌芯 锌芯械 褉褗泻芯胁芯写褋褌胁芯褌芯 薪邪写 "孝谢芯泻胁械薪谐 褉芯褍写 褋锌懈泄写懈 屑芯褌芯褉褋" 懈 褉邪蟹褉械褕懈 褋谢褍褔邪泄 蟹邪 屑薪芯谐芯 锌邪褉懈. 袪邪蟹斜懈褉邪 褋械, 邪蟹 薪械 褔械褌邪 褌邪蟹懈 锌芯褉械写懈褑邪 蟹邪褉邪写懈 写械泄褋褌胁懈械褌芯 懈谢懈 蟹邪谐邪写泻懈褌械. 效械褌邪 谐懈 蟹邪褉邪写懈 薪械卸薪懈褟 褉懈褌褗屑 薪邪 褉邪蟹泻邪蟹邪 懈 蟹邪褉邪写懈 屑褗写褉邪褌邪 褋褗蟹械褉褑邪褌械谢薪芯褋褌 薪邪 谐械褉芯懈褌械- 褉邪写芯褋褌褌邪 芯褌 褌械蟹懈 泻薪懈谐懈 械 懈薪褌懈屑薪邪褌邪 谐谢械写薪邪 褌芯褔泻邪 薪邪写 褌芯胁邪 泻邪泻 卸懈胁械褟褌, 褌械褏薪懈褌械 褑械薪薪芯褋褌懈, 泻邪泻 褋懈 锌芯褋褌邪胁褟褌 褑械谢懈 懈 谐懈 褋谢械写胁邪褌. 袦邪邪 袦邪泻褍褌褋懈 薪邪屑械褉懈 薪邪褔懈薪 写邪 写邪 褋械 褉邪蟹胁懈胁邪 懈 写邪 褋懈 懈蟹泻邪褉邪 卸懈胁芯褌邪 芯褌胁褗写 谐褉邪薪懈褑懈褌械 薪邪 薪邪褋褌芯褟褖邪褌邪 褋懈 褋懈褌褍邪褑懈褟: 薪械芯屑褗卸械薪邪, 褋 斜芯谢械薪 斜褉邪褌, 蟹邪 泻芯泄褌芯 写邪 褋械 谐褉懈卸懈, 卸懈胁械械褖邪 胁 械写薪邪 褋褌邪褟 斜械蟹 褋谢褗薪褑械 懈 褋 屑薪芯谐芯 薪懈褋泻懈 写芯褏芯写懈, 泻邪褌芯 芯褌泻褉懈 褕泻芯谢邪褌邪 锌芯 屑邪褕懈薪芯锌懈褋 蟹邪 屑褗卸械 "袣邪谢邪褏邪褉懈", 薪邪锌褉懈屑械褉. 袥械卸械褉薪芯褌芯 褌械屑锌芯 薪邪 褉邪蟹泻邪蟹邪, 芯锌褉芯褋褌械薪懈褟 (锌芯褔褌懈 写械褌褋泻懈) 械蟹懈泻 懈 屑褗写褉懈褌械 褋褗胁械褌懈 薪邪 写芯斜褉芯褋褗褉写械褔薪邪褌邪 屑邪邪 袪邪屑芯褌褋胁械 褍褋锌褟胁邪褌 写邪 写邪写邪褌 褍褋械褖邪薪械 薪邪 褋锌芯泻芯泄褋褌胁懈械 懈 芯锌褌懈屑懈蟹褗屑. 袗 袗谢械谐蟹邪薪写褗褉 袦邪泻泻芯谢 小屑懈褌 械 屑邪泄褋褌芯褉 胁褗胁 胁蟹邪懈屑芯写械泄褋褌胁懈械褌芯 薪邪 褉邪蟹胁懈褌懈械褌芯 薪邪 懈褋褌芯褉懈褟褌邪 褋 胁褗褌褉械褕薪懈褟 写懈邪谢芯谐, 胁 懈蟹谐褉邪卸写邪薪械褌芯 薪邪 懈褋褌芯褉懈懈, 懈蟹锌褗谢薪械薪懈 褋 褏褍屑芯褉, 褋 泻褉邪褋芯褌邪褌邪 薪邪 袗褎褉懈泻邪 懈 褋 褔褍胁褋褌胁芯 蟹邪 泻邪褔械褋褌胁芯褌芯 薪邪 锌褉芯褋褌懈褟 懈 褋械屑锌褗谢 卸懈胁芯褌. 袗泻芯 锌褉械屑懈薪邪胁邪褌械 锌褉械蟹 褌械卸褗泻 锌械褉懈芯写, 械写薪芯 锌芯褋械褖械薪懈械 薪邪 胁械褉邪薪写邪褌邪 薪邪 袩褉械褕褗褋 袪邪屑芯褌褋胁械 蟹邪 屑邪谢泻芯 褎懈谢芯褋芯褎褋褌胁邪薪械 薪邪写 卸懈胁芯褌邪, 锌懈械泄泻懈 褉芯泄斜芯褋, 写芯泻邪褌芯 谐谢械写邪褌械 薪械芯斜褟褌薪芯褌芯 薪械斜械 薪邪写 袘芯褌褋褍邪薪邪, 芯锌褉械写械谢械薪芯 褖械 胁懈 芯斜芯写褉懈. 孝械蟹懈 泻薪懈谐懈 褌褉褟斜胁邪 写邪 褋械 锌褉芯褔械褌邪褌, 蟹邪 写邪 褋械 锌褉械卸懈胁械褟褌. 袣芯屑械薪褌邪褉懈褌械 蟹邪 褌褟褏 薪褟屑邪 写邪 褋邪 写芯褋褌邪褌褗褔薪懈, 蟹邪 写邪 褋械 锌褉械写邪写械 褑褟谢芯褋褌薪芯褌芯 褍写芯胁芯谢褋褌胁懈械 芯褌 褌褟褏 懈 蟹邪 褌芯胁邪 褋锌懈褉邪屑 写芯 褌褍泻.
袥褞斜懈屑 褑懈褌邪褌 (芯褌 "袦芯褉邪谢 蟹邪 泻褉邪褋懈胁懈 屑芯屑懈褔械褌邪"):
"孝邪泻邪 懈谢懈 懈薪邪褔械, 褌褟 斜械褕械 写邪屑邪 褋 褌褉邪写懈褑懈芯薪薪芯 褌械谢芯褋谢芯卸械薪懈械 懈 薪褟屑邪褕械 薪褍卸写邪 写邪 褋械 褌褉械胁芯卸懈 蟹邪 褉邪蟹屑械褉邪 写褉械褏懈, 泻芯泄褌芯 薪芯褋懈, 泻邪褌芯 芯薪械蟹懈 薪械褖邪褋褌薪懈, 薪械胁褉芯褌懈蟹懈褉邪薪懈 褏芯褉邪, 泻芯懈褌芯 胁械褔薪芯 褋械 谐谢械写邪褌 胁 芯谐谢械写邪谢芯褌芯 懈 屑懈褋谢褟褌, 褔械 褋邪 褌胁褗褉写械 写械斜械谢懈. 袗 懈 泻邪泻胁芯 蟹薪邪褔懈 鈥炑傂惭娧€写械 写械斜械谢鈥�? 袣芯泄 懈屑邪 锌褉邪胁芯 写邪 泻邪蟹胁邪 薪邪 写褉褍谐懈褟 泻邪泻褗胁 褉邪蟹屑械褉 写褉械褏懈 写邪 薪芯褋懈? 孝芯胁邪 斜械褕械 褎芯褉屑邪 薪邪 褌懈褉邪薪懈褟 芯褌 褋褌褉邪薪邪 薪邪 褋谢邪斜懈褌械, 薪芯 褌褟 薪褟屑邪褕械 薪邪屑械褉械薪懈械 写邪 褟 锌褉懈械屑邪. 袗泻芯 褌械蟹懈 褋谢邪斜懈 褏芯褉邪 褋褌邪薪械褏邪 芯褖械 锌芯-薪邪褋褌芯褟褌械谢薪懈, 褖械褕械 写邪 褋械 薪邪谢芯卸懈 锌芯-褖械写褉芯 薪邪写邪褉械薪懈褌械 褏芯褉邪 薪邪锌褉邪胁芯 写邪 懈屑 薪邪褌褉懈褟褌 薪芯褋邪. 袛邪, 褖褟褏邪 写邪 谐懈 薪邪褍褔邪褌 褌械! 袗屑邪-褏邪!"
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*袛芯斜褗褉 写械薪 (褋械褌褋褍邪薪邪)
小褌懈谐薪邪褏 写芯 锌械褌邪褌邪 褔邪褋褌 蟹邪 袛邪屑褋泻邪褌邪 写械褌械泻褌懈胁褋泻邪 邪谐械薪褑懈褟 鈩�1 薪邪 袗谢械谐蟹邪薪写褗褉 袦邪泻泻芯谢 小屑懈褌 懈 懈褋泻邪屑 写邪 泻邪卸邪, 褔械 芯褋胁械薪, 褔械 胁械褔械 褋褗屑 褍卸邪褋薪芯 薪械褌褗褉锌械谢懈胁邪 泻芯谐邪 薪邪泄-薪邪泻褉邪褟 谐芯褋锌芯写懈薪 袛卸. 袥. 袘. 袦邪褌械泻芯薪懈 褖械 褋械 芯卸械薪懈 蟹邪 屑邪邪 袩褉械褕褗褋 袪邪屑芯褌褋胁械 (泻芯褟褌芯 褋械 谐芯褉写械械 褋 褌褉邪写懈褑懈芯薪薪芯褌芯 褋懈 褌械谢芯褋谢芯卸械薪懈械, 卸懈胁械械褖邪 胁 薪邪泄-胁械谢懈泻邪褌邪 褋褌褉邪薪邪 胁 袗褎褉懈泻邪, 邪泻芯 薪械 懈 胁 褑械谢懈褟 褋胁褟褌), 写褗褉卸邪 写邪 斜谢邪谐芯写邪褉褟 薪邪 笑胁械褌邪薪泻邪 小械胁写懈薪邪, 褔械 屑懈 锌褉械锌芯褉褗褔邪 褌芯蟹懈 邪胁褌芯褉 (械, 褌褉褗谐薪邪褏 芯褌 写褉褍谐懈 泻薪懈谐懈, 薪芯 褖械 褋褌懈谐薪邪 懈 写芯 锌芯褉褌褍谐邪谢褋泻懈褌械 薪械锌褉邪胁懈谢薪懈 谐谢邪谐芯谢懈 懈 芯褋芯斜械薪芯褋褌懈褌械 薪邪 褋邪谢邪屑芯胁懈写薪懈褌械 泻褍褔械褌邪 胁 泻芯屑锌邪薪懈褟褌邪 薪邪 肖芯薪 袠谐械谢褎械谢写, 薪械屑懈薪褍械屑芯 械). 袟邪 褋褗卸邪谢械薪懈械 胁 褌褉械褌邪褌邪 褔邪褋褌 褋胁邪褌斜邪褌邪 褋械 芯褌谢芯卸懈, 蟹邪褖芯褌芯 谐芯褋锌芯写懈薪 袛卸. 袥. 袘. 袦邪褌械泻芯薪懈 懈蟹锌邪写薪邪 胁 写械锌褉械褋懈褟, 邪 屑邪邪 袪邪屑芯褌褋胁械 褏胁邪薪邪 胁邪卸械薪 泻谢懈械薪褌 芯褌 锌褉邪胁懈褌械谢褋褌胁芯褌芯, 薪芯 锌褗泻 屑邪邪 袦邪泻褍褌褋懈 锌芯谢褍褔懈 谢懈褔薪懈褟 褋懈 褌褉懈褍屑褎 泻邪褌芯 锌芯械 褉褗泻芯胁芯写褋褌胁芯褌芯 薪邪写 "孝谢芯泻胁械薪谐 褉芯褍写 褋锌懈泄写懈 屑芯褌芯褉褋" 懈 褉邪蟹褉械褕懈 褋谢褍褔邪泄 蟹邪 屑薪芯谐芯 锌邪褉懈. 袪邪蟹斜懈褉邪 褋械, 邪蟹 薪械 褔械褌邪 褌邪蟹懈 锌芯褉械写懈褑邪 蟹邪褉邪写懈 写械泄褋褌胁懈械褌芯 懈谢懈 蟹邪谐邪写泻懈褌械. 效械褌邪 谐懈 蟹邪褉邪写懈 薪械卸薪懈褟 褉懈褌褗屑 薪邪 褉邪蟹泻邪蟹邪 懈 蟹邪褉邪写懈 屑褗写褉邪褌邪 褋褗蟹械褉褑邪褌械谢薪芯褋褌 薪邪 谐械褉芯懈褌械- 褉邪写芯褋褌褌邪 芯褌 褌械蟹懈 泻薪懈谐懈 械 懈薪褌懈屑薪邪褌邪 谐谢械写薪邪 褌芯褔泻邪 薪邪写 褌芯胁邪 泻邪泻 卸懈胁械褟褌, 褌械褏薪懈褌械 褑械薪薪芯褋褌懈, 泻邪泻 褋懈 锌芯褋褌邪胁褟褌 褑械谢懈 懈 谐懈 褋谢械写胁邪褌. 袦邪邪 袦邪泻褍褌褋懈 薪邪屑械褉懈 薪邪褔懈薪 写邪 写邪 褋械 褉邪蟹胁懈胁邪 懈 写邪 褋懈 懈蟹泻邪褉邪 卸懈胁芯褌邪 芯褌胁褗写 谐褉邪薪懈褑懈褌械 薪邪 薪邪褋褌芯褟褖邪褌邪 褋懈 褋懈褌褍邪褑懈褟: 薪械芯屑褗卸械薪邪, 褋 斜芯谢械薪 斜褉邪褌, 蟹邪 泻芯泄褌芯 写邪 褋械 谐褉懈卸懈, 卸懈胁械械褖邪 胁 械写薪邪 褋褌邪褟 斜械蟹 褋谢褗薪褑械 懈 褋 屑薪芯谐芯 薪懈褋泻懈 写芯褏芯写懈, 泻邪褌芯 芯褌泻褉懈 褕泻芯谢邪褌邪 锌芯 屑邪褕懈薪芯锌懈褋 蟹邪 屑褗卸械 "袣邪谢邪褏邪褉懈", 薪邪锌褉懈屑械褉. 袥械卸械褉薪芯褌芯 褌械屑锌芯 薪邪 褉邪蟹泻邪蟹邪, 芯锌褉芯褋褌械薪懈褟 (锌芯褔褌懈 写械褌褋泻懈) 械蟹懈泻 懈 屑褗写褉懈褌械 褋褗胁械褌懈 薪邪 写芯斜褉芯褋褗褉写械褔薪邪褌邪 屑邪邪 袪邪屑芯褌褋胁械 褍褋锌褟胁邪褌 写邪 写邪写邪褌 褍褋械褖邪薪械 薪邪 褋锌芯泻芯泄褋褌胁懈械 懈 芯锌褌懈屑懈蟹褗屑. 袗 袗谢械谐蟹邪薪写褗褉 袦邪泻泻芯谢 小屑懈褌 械 屑邪泄褋褌芯褉 胁褗胁 胁蟹邪懈屑芯写械泄褋褌胁懈械褌芯 薪邪 褉邪蟹胁懈褌懈械褌芯 薪邪 懈褋褌芯褉懈褟褌邪 褋 胁褗褌褉械褕薪懈褟 写懈邪谢芯谐, 胁 懈蟹谐褉邪卸写邪薪械褌芯 薪邪 懈褋褌芯褉懈懈, 懈蟹锌褗谢薪械薪懈 褋 褏褍屑芯褉, 褋 泻褉邪褋芯褌邪褌邪 薪邪 袗褎褉懈泻邪 懈 褋 褔褍胁褋褌胁芯 蟹邪 泻邪褔械褋褌胁芯褌芯 薪邪 锌褉芯褋褌懈褟 懈 褋械屑锌褗谢 卸懈胁芯褌. 袗泻芯 锌褉械屑懈薪邪胁邪褌械 锌褉械蟹 褌械卸褗泻 锌械褉懈芯写, 械写薪芯 锌芯褋械褖械薪懈械 薪邪 胁械褉邪薪写邪褌邪 薪邪 袩褉械褕褗褋 袪邪屑芯褌褋胁械 蟹邪 屑邪谢泻芯 褎懈谢芯褋芯褎褋褌胁邪薪械 薪邪写 卸懈胁芯褌邪, 锌懈械泄泻懈 褉芯泄斜芯褋, 写芯泻邪褌芯 谐谢械写邪褌械 薪械芯斜褟褌薪芯褌芯 薪械斜械 薪邪写 袘芯褌褋褍邪薪邪, 芯锌褉械写械谢械薪芯 褖械 胁懈 芯斜芯写褉懈. 孝械蟹懈 泻薪懈谐懈 褌褉褟斜胁邪 写邪 褋械 锌褉芯褔械褌邪褌, 蟹邪 写邪 褋械 锌褉械卸懈胁械褟褌. 袣芯屑械薪褌邪褉懈褌械 蟹邪 褌褟褏 薪褟屑邪 写邪 褋邪 写芯褋褌邪褌褗褔薪懈, 蟹邪 写邪 褋械 锌褉械写邪写械 褑褟谢芯褋褌薪芯褌芯 褍写芯胁芯谢褋褌胁懈械 芯褌 褌褟褏 懈 蟹邪 褌芯胁邪 褋锌懈褉邪屑 写芯 褌褍泻.
袥褞斜懈屑 褑懈褌邪褌 (芯褌 "袦芯褉邪谢 蟹邪 泻褉邪褋懈胁懈 屑芯屑懈褔械褌邪"):
"孝邪泻邪 懈谢懈 懈薪邪褔械, 褌褟 斜械褕械 写邪屑邪 褋 褌褉邪写懈褑懈芯薪薪芯 褌械谢芯褋谢芯卸械薪懈械 懈 薪褟屑邪褕械 薪褍卸写邪 写邪 褋械 褌褉械胁芯卸懈 蟹邪 褉邪蟹屑械褉邪 写褉械褏懈, 泻芯泄褌芯 薪芯褋懈, 泻邪褌芯 芯薪械蟹懈 薪械褖邪褋褌薪懈, 薪械胁褉芯褌懈蟹懈褉邪薪懈 褏芯褉邪, 泻芯懈褌芯 胁械褔薪芯 褋械 谐谢械写邪褌 胁 芯谐谢械写邪谢芯褌芯 懈 屑懈褋谢褟褌, 褔械 褋邪 褌胁褗褉写械 写械斜械谢懈. 袗 懈 泻邪泻胁芯 蟹薪邪褔懈 鈥炑傂惭娧€写械 写械斜械谢鈥�? 袣芯泄 懈屑邪 锌褉邪胁芯 写邪 泻邪蟹胁邪 薪邪 写褉褍谐懈褟 泻邪泻褗胁 褉邪蟹屑械褉 写褉械褏懈 写邪 薪芯褋懈? 孝芯胁邪 斜械褕械 褎芯褉屑邪 薪邪 褌懈褉邪薪懈褟 芯褌 褋褌褉邪薪邪 薪邪 褋谢邪斜懈褌械, 薪芯 褌褟 薪褟屑邪褕械 薪邪屑械褉械薪懈械 写邪 褟 锌褉懈械屑邪. 袗泻芯 褌械蟹懈 褋谢邪斜懈 褏芯褉邪 褋褌邪薪械褏邪 芯褖械 锌芯-薪邪褋褌芯褟褌械谢薪懈, 褖械褕械 写邪 褋械 薪邪谢芯卸懈 锌芯-褖械写褉芯 薪邪写邪褉械薪懈褌械 褏芯褉邪 薪邪锌褉邪胁芯 写邪 懈屑 薪邪褌褉懈褟褌 薪芯褋邪. 袛邪, 褖褟褏邪 写邪 谐懈 薪邪褍褔邪褌 褌械! 袗屑邪-褏邪!"
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*袛芯斜褗褉 写械薪 (褋械褌褋褍邪薪邪)
November 21, 2021
鈥�The Kalahari Typing School For Men鈥�, our fourth trip to Botswana courtesy of the compassionate, insightful dramas and mysteries of Alexander McCall Smith, tends to receive four or five stars from all fans, including me. The previous volume only seemed to tie off threads to pave the way for subsequent novels. This 2002 combination of personal and mystery solving stories at last, has returned to a clear foundational focus. It included a male run detective agency. It illuminated not if women make better detectives than men but morality in business and what patrons get, when careers are chosen from the heart. We are served best by a doctor, nurse, dentist, or cook who wants to be there, for example.
Although I was impressed with Mma Makutsi鈥檚 running of Speedy Motors Garage when their offices merged, I was amazed by her supply & demand acumen in thinking of and obtaining free space and supplies for her typing school. This increase in her well deserved income also furnished two other great storylines: her interest in dating and that man鈥檚 intersection with one of Precious鈥檚 two detective cases. Her adopted children and fianc茅 hardly appeared but story fodder was ample.
Her second case concerned a reunion more than a mystery. Finding two people in her client鈥檚 past for the purpose of apologizing to them as a grown man, was a beautiful story. We see that doing the right thing and honouring people with respect, is in our hands anytime. This assignment was also lovely for Precious visiting a friend who is an inspiring woman to spend time with. Only in her thirties, Precious merits reviewer criticism for being preachy about people who do not use Botswana鈥檚 old standard of manners. However, I remain just as interested in seeing which pleasures her sequel brings.
Although I was impressed with Mma Makutsi鈥檚 running of Speedy Motors Garage when their offices merged, I was amazed by her supply & demand acumen in thinking of and obtaining free space and supplies for her typing school. This increase in her well deserved income also furnished two other great storylines: her interest in dating and that man鈥檚 intersection with one of Precious鈥檚 two detective cases. Her adopted children and fianc茅 hardly appeared but story fodder was ample.
Her second case concerned a reunion more than a mystery. Finding two people in her client鈥檚 past for the purpose of apologizing to them as a grown man, was a beautiful story. We see that doing the right thing and honouring people with respect, is in our hands anytime. This assignment was also lovely for Precious visiting a friend who is an inspiring woman to spend time with. Only in her thirties, Precious merits reviewer criticism for being preachy about people who do not use Botswana鈥檚 old standard of manners. However, I remain just as interested in seeing which pleasures her sequel brings.
September 24, 2016
Another solid effort in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Series, as these books continue to delve into its characters and manages to use this as a way to have them involved in the new cases. While the books are very delightful and easy to read, I feel that the author needs to get these ladies involved in much more serious and complicated cases. So far, most of the cases are cute and involve a lot of moral detecting, but the time has come for Mma. Ramotswe and Mma. Makutsi to get into some meatier cases, especially since Book 4 introduced a new Detective Agency to the town. We also saw the first sparks of love for Mma. Makusti even though it was short-lived, as she also branches out by opening the Mens Typing School. Mma. Makutsi is a great character and almost a more enjoyable one then the lead character Mms Ramotswe. You do not want to miss the one part where they all go to church to support their one apprentice - it is hilarious and is the funniest thing that has been written to date in this series. It is obvious that the author loved Botswana and has transferred that love onto his main character Mma. Ramotswe. And as in all the prior books, by the end all the cases and moral dilemmas are resolved by the end of the book and we are left with only one question? When will Mma. Ramotswe and Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni going to be married??? That is the biggest unsolved mystery that has yet to be finalized!
September 1, 2019
What do you need Sherlock Holmes, and dr. John Watson, or Hercule Poirot, and Captain Arthur J. M. Hastings for, when you鈥檝e got Mma Precious Ramotswe, and Mma Grace Makutsi?
Not a whole lot.
Okay, maybe this isn鈥檛 a fair comparison. The fourth book in this series is about as light on mystery as the previous ones, unlike those with Holmes, Watson, Poirot, and Hastings, but I still enjoyed the story of Ramotswe, Makutsi, and all the other characters very much so I continue to read on.
And I鈥檓 enjoying it a whole lot.
Not a whole lot.
Okay, maybe this isn鈥檛 a fair comparison. The fourth book in this series is about as light on mystery as the previous ones, unlike those with Holmes, Watson, Poirot, and Hastings, but I still enjoyed the story of Ramotswe, Makutsi, and all the other characters very much so I continue to read on.
And I鈥檓 enjoying it a whole lot.
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