In the Company of Cheerful Ladies

There was mystery and humor wrapped in the warm story telling of our favorite lady detective of Botswana.

Business is booming for both the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency and the Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors, but the daily routine is about to be shattered by a series of strange and puzzling events, starting with an unpleasant encounter at Mma Ramotswe's favorite café, an unfortunate intruder at Zebra Drive, and a mysterious pumpkin. The story does not focus entirely on the traditionally built Mma Ramotswe, but weaves in the experiences of the other characters in one of the most entertaining books of the series. Mma Makutsi becomes much more self-confident, and in addition to running the Kalahari Typing School for Men, she puts on her best shoes and signs up for dance lessons, where she ends up being more teacher than pupil to her eager but clumsy dancing partner. Charlie quits his job at the Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors after a spat with Mma Makutsi, but is seen driving around with an older woman in a Mercedes Benz, and the plot thickens when the car turns into the driveway of Mr. J. L. B. Matekoni's former residence. While following the Mercedes, Mma Ramotswe causes an accident, and this encounter leads to the introduction of an intriguing new character, Mr. Polopetsi, a man with some very useful talents and a troubled past. But do not think for a minute that Mma Ramotswe gets off without more than her fair share of trouble. She is totally devastated when her ex-husband Note shows up demanding money, and she has to make the hardest decisions of her life while Mr. J. L. B. Matekoni watches and waits. This one has more action, more intrigue and more humor than the others, and would be enjoyable reading for traditionally built women, people with 97% passing grades, and all the rest of us. Amanda Richards, June 23, 2005

Mma Precious Ramotswe, warm-hearted proprietor of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency in Gaborone, Botswana, is drinking tea at an outdoor café when she witnesses the theft of a bracelet. In her haste to apprehend the female thief and return the bracelet to the poor vendor, she leaves her table without paying her bill. The waitress hurries after her, accuses her of intentionally neglecting her bill, and then offers to "forget" about it if Mma pays her an extortionate fee. Distressed by what she sees as the loss of Botswana's traditional values, Mma Ramotswe believes fervently in setting a good example, respecting others and promoting friendships in her own life. Recently married to Mr. J. L. B. Matekone, proprietor of the Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors, Mma Ramotswe runs her detective agency (where she doles out homespun advice and often serves as a "mother confessor"), takes care of two orphaned children, mentors Mma Grace Makutsi, her assistant, and endeavors to get the two apprentices at her husband's garage to become responsible citizens. Throughout the series, plots and subplots serve primarily as vehicles for character development and the exploration of cultural values. In this novel Mma Ramotswe has a deep secret, not shared even with her husband, and she is desperate to have it remain a secret. Her house is broken into, her car is stolen, and Note Makoti, her first husband, returns to Gabarone. Mysterious goings-on occur in Mr. J. L. B. Matekoni's former house, now rented; the detective agency looks for a missing man from Zambia; and Mma Makuti finds herself receiving the attentions of a clumsy suitor. None of these events are, of course, world-shaking, but they are significant in the lives of the hard-working and honest people who populate this delightful novel. South African playwright Lisette Lecat, reader of this audiobook, puts her feeling for dialogue to work here, giving a dramatic but completely realistic sound to this story of Mma Ramotswe, rolling the MM in "Mma" in a completely natural way, impossible for a foreigner to duplicate. Her ability to assume different voices for different characters, without being "cute," adds to the sense of place and to the characters' personalities. Her clear diction and ability to duplicate the cadence of Smith's writing make her reading particularly memorable. Conveying gentle humor, Lecat adds warmth and wit to this rich novel. Mary Whipple

Mma Precious Ramotswe, warm-hearted proprietor of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency in Gaborone, Botswana, is drinking tea at an outdoor café when she witnesses the theft of a bracelet. In her haste to apprehend the female thief and return the bracelet to the poor vendor, she leaves her table without paying her bill. The waitress hurries after her, accuses her of intentionally neglecting her bill, and then offers to "forget" about it if Mma pays her an extortionate fee. Distressed by what she sees as the loss of Botswana's traditional values, Mma Ramotswe believes fervently in setting a good example, respecting others and promoting friendships in her own life. Recently married to Mr. J. L. B. Matekone, proprietor of the Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors, Mma Ramotswe runs her detective agency (where she doles out homespun advice and often serves as a "mother confessor"), takes care of two orphaned children, mentors Mma Grace Makutsi, her assistant, and endeavors to get the two apprentices at her husband's garage to become responsible citizens. A special pleasure in this novel is the introduction of a wonderful, new character, Mr. Polopetsi, a man with a sad story who will undoubtedly be further developed in later novels. Throughout the series, plots and subplots serve primarily as vehicles for character development and the exploration of cultural values. In this novel Mma Ramotswe has a deep secret, not shared even with her husband, and she is desperate to have it remain a secret. Her house is broken into, her car is stolen, and Note Makoti, her first husband, returns to Gabarone. Mysterious goings-on occur in Mr. J. L. B. Matekoni's former house, now rented; the detective agency looks for a missing man from Zambia; and Mma Makuti finds herself receiving the attentions of a clumsy suitor. While these events may not be very exciting when regarded on a large scale, they are significant in the lives of these ordinary people trying to live their lives with dignity. Reading this series is like returning to a familiar neighborhood to meet old friends. In simple, direct prose and a leisurely pace, the author recreates the colorful lives of a repeating set of characters who treasure relationships, treat each other with respect, and possess inherent good sense. Full of gentle humor and much wisdom, the novel emphasizes the richness of a traditional life without including the violence, sex, or horror which fill other "detective" novels. Warm, witty, and nostalgic, this series is happy reading, and this novel is a fine addition to the series. Mary Whipple

McCall Smith has topped himself. This isn't just another installment - new and memorable characters are introduced and the plot line is more emotionally nuanced than previous books. There is much to be learned from these "simple" tales from Botswana, and Mma Makutsi is our teacher in this one. I pounced upon this latest book in Johannesburg last October, knowing it wasn't yet available in America. I've already read it again, despite the considerable backlog on my bedside table.

I think this is the best yet - what a shame American readers have had to wait until April to get this wonderful book. (Why can't US publishers bring it out the same time as those in the UK?) Mme Ramotswe is married! (Or IS she - you will have to read to the middle of the novel to find out.... ) Not only that but Grace Makutsi finds love as well - and to find out THAT happy ending you really will have to read until the last chapter. Many yuppies (do we still use that term?) love this book, and those in the series, because not much really happens - and that is the whole point! It is both hilariously funny as always, with very sharp observations of human life, and yet profoundly gentle throughout. Life is SLOW, and for many people in the fast lane, that is perfect reading. (And for people who live in the middle lane like me as well...) You can be wonderfully calm reading this book - the whole series is the perfect antidote to the manic life we live in the West, in the 21st century. Five cheers for Alexander McCall Smith! In one scene, Grace Makutsi meets an odious young woman called Violet, who got only 50% the typing school (Grace, as we will recall, got 97%). But unlike Grace, Violet has all the best jobs and all the men after her - she has one fifteenth of Grace's character and ability, yet gets far because she is glamorous. Haven't we all been there - seeing far less talented people get ahead for reasons that are profoundly unfair? This is what is so good about the Ramotswe novels - they are superb morality tales, showing true values without in any way being preachy. In short, give this book to all your friends - 10 copies at least! Let's see it go to No.1, which it richly deserves to do, and a good sight more than some so-called fiction out there these days. Enjoy! Christopher Catherwood (author of CHURCHILL'S FOLLY: HOW WINSTON CHURCHILL CREATED MODERN IRAQ: Carroll and Graf, 2004)