Fans around the world adore the bestselling No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, the basis of the HBO TV show, and its proprietor Precious Ramotswe, Botswana's premier lady detective. In this charming series, Mma Ramotswe navigates her cases and her personal life with wisdom, and good humor--not to mention help from her loyal assistant, Grace Makutsi, and the occasional cup of tea.
Readers will agree that this touching and dramatic new installment in Alexander McCall Smith's beloved and best-selling series is the finest yet. In this story, Precious Ramotswe deals with issues of mistaken identity and great fortune against the beautiful backdrop of Botswana's remote and striking Okavango Delta.
Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi head to a safari camp to carry out a delicate mission on behalf of a former guest who has left one of the guides a large sum of money. But once they find their man, Precious begins to sense that something is not right. To make matters worse, shortly before their departure Mma Makutsi's fiance, Phuti Radiphuti, suffers a debilitating accident, and when his aunt moves in to take care of him, she also pushes Mma Makutsi out of the picture. Could she be trying to break up the relationship? Finally, a local priest and his wife independently approach Mma Ramotswe with concerns of infidelity, creating a rather unusual and tricky situation. Nevertheless, Precious is confident that with a little patience, kindness and good sense things will work out for the best, something that will delight her many fans.
My Review:
How does Alexander McCall Smith keep coming up with these story lines for the No. 1 Detective Agency? I have no idea, but I'm hoping he has plenty more to share with us. We are brought back to Botswana once again to watch Mma Makutsi and Mma Ramotswe solve mysteries in their common sense way.
The book opens with a strange incident encountered by J.L.B. Matekoni. As he travels to help a woman in need, he ponders many things along the way, as he usually does. When he arrives at his destination things seem out of place but he can't quite put his finger on it. He has suspicions and questions whether he should share his concerns with Mma Ramotswe. Deciding against it, he keeps the information to himself, not knowing that Mma Ramotswe with up to her elbows with the problem at hand.
I think the most significant part of this segment is the accident that cripples Phuti Radiphuti. As his relatives swoop in care for Phuti, at the same time they block Mma Makutsi from his life. Thankfully, with the help of Mma Ramotswe and other friends, Mma Makutsi is right back by Phuti's side where she belongs. I can't help but wonder if these two will ever get married in the future. You may laugh, but deep down I think I want to see Mma Makutsi and Charlie the apprentice get together...time will tell!
There is one main mystery that Mma Makutsi and Mma Ramotswe need to solve. The assignment sends them on their first overnight business trip together as they head to the wilderness and a safari. Their everyday lives could not have prepared them for the dangers of a safari, but luckily they come out unharmed. With themes of mystery and relationships you may enjoy this book as much as my book club did. I don't hesitate in recommending this book for either personal leisure or as a book club selection.
My Rating: 4/5
Disclosure: This book is from my personal library and I read to it for my own entertainment and as a book club selection.
2 comments:
I haven't read any of these for a while, but they're always a pleasure.
I will have to pick up this series again after reading the first two books.
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