Customer Reviews:
 Disappointing May 11, 2008
I usually quite enjoy the Number One Ladies' stories, but all the time while reading this one, I kept wondering if the author was actually going to use the old Urban Myth ([...]) about the mysterious deaths at the South African hospital. I told myself he surely wasn't going to recreate that old racist canard in fictive form, but was mistaken; if the author had heard the tale, as clearly he had, he must have been aware that its strength as a meme was due, in the US at least, to a certain segment of society's sense of racial superiority. Why he injected that kind of baggage into an otherwise lovely tale perplexes me.
 Shaken up and put back together May 6, 2008
If you have already read previous volumes in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, you are familiar with the main characters: Precious Ramotswe, Grace Makutsi, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, Charlie and the never-named "younger apprentice." This time around, though, everyone gets shaken up. Two of them leave their long-time occupations, only to return soon, but a bit wiser for their experience.
As usual, the setting of the story is the country of Botswana, which Alexander McCall Smith so charmingly portrays. There are no high-tech weapons, no major world crises, no countdowns to the annihilation of the human race, no martial-arts-trained-multilingual-hi-tech women who always look like they are ready to go down a catwalk in Paris even after singlehandedly taking out a base full of terrorists. No, just the routine of life in a country where at least some people, like Mma Ramotswe, still value the courtesy and calm pace of the "old Botswana ways," even in the bustle of the capital city of Gabarone. You will enjoy this change of pace from Robert Ludlum and Tom Clancy.
Another lovely read. May 6, 2008
This installment in the No. 1 series is as delightful as the others. That being said, if you don't like the others, you most likely won't like this one. The pacing is similar, as is the tone. These are not your typical "mystery novels," and I've know people who just didn't get into them. As for myself, I can't wait for the next one.
 Still a breath of fresh air May 6, 2008
Even less happens in this book than in the previous ones, but who cares? The subtly humorous writing, the memorable characters, the optimism and the flavour of Africa make this delightful series a regular treat.
A Joy to Read April 24, 2008
All of the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency books are wonderful. They make one feel so good - you can't help but smile as you read. I have never wanted to visit Botswana more than while reading these novels.
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