Status
Available
Description
Now that the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency is firmly established, founder Precious Ramotswe faces new challenges at home and at work--from problems with her adopted son to a sexist rival who is opening a detective agency across town.
User reviews
LibraryThing member seoulful
Another treat from Alexander McCall Smith in his successful No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. We can once more enjoy the ruminations of the minds of his characters as they reflect on the passing scene and on the weaknesses and strengths of the people they encounter in their daily lives. Always
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in the case of Mma Ramotswe, we hear her deplore the passing of the old ways of Botswana particularly after some encounter with the new. Mma Makutsi has a larger role in this book as she opens her typing school for men. This new adventure puts into play her thoughtful consideration of the ways of men--their dislike in being outshone by women in a class, their embarassment in coming to such a class. It also leads her into the world of deceitful, lonely men with unfortunate results. The author is a keen observer of the human race and all its foibles and yet he shows us a gentle and humane way of treating people as they fall from grace and are caught in disgrace by the two indomitable lady detectives. Show Less
LibraryThing member lkernagh
Another good installment. This time the story provides more focus on Mma Makutsi. As with previous books in the series, the story is more about daily life in Botswana and provides a wonderful window into the unique cultural aspects of Botswanan life and society and how traditional ways are being
Overall, An enjoyable series for readers seeking a light-hearted view of life from a different perspective, where discussions of proper behaviour occupies as much space in the stories as the cases to be solved.
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impacted by First World priorities and points of view. Some may call these stories to be “cozy mysteries” but I like to think about them as stories where one gets to examine moral implications of actions, traditional folk wisdom and how common sense can prevail in sticky situations. Justice is not always best served when one does not take into account how an action may impact all parties involved. I really enjoyed the business ingenuity as Mma Makutsi looks to establish a new business to help her make enough money to live and care for her ailing brother. On a downside, McCall Smith does paint certain scenarios - such as the presence of a new, competing detective agency in the community - with a brush that focuses on pointing out extreme contrasts between the two agencies and fails to provide any real value, except as an easy mechanism to introduce further discussion about proper behaviour between Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi. Overall, An enjoyable series for readers seeking a light-hearted view of life from a different perspective, where discussions of proper behaviour occupies as much space in the stories as the cases to be solved.
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LibraryThing member xicanti
Life is never dull at the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. Mma Ramotswe has successfully helped her fiancé, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, overcome his illness, but she has yet to persuade him to set a date for their wedding. Their adopted children are becoming a handful. Their employee, Mma Makutsi, has
That probably makes this book sound tense and exciting, but the Botswanans are far too polite for anything of that sort. This book is charming, plain and simple. If you want traditional mystery antics, you'd best look elsewhere. No one ever shouts at anyone else, or insults them, or slaps them around. Instead, they approach even the most difficult of confrontations with friendly small talk and polite banter. They refer to certain people by their full names, (ie, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni), presumably as a mark of respect. They're genuinely nice to one another. It is not, perhaps, the most compelling thing out there, but it's still a pleasure to read.
This particular volume pushes the characters in a couple of new directions, too, and that's nice to see. My main beef with the last couple of books was the lack of forward movement. Things changed, sure, but there wasn't all that much to it. To be honest, there's still not a whole lot to it, but this book is definitely an improvement on the last couple. Mma Makutsi, in particular, comes into her own as she takes the initiative and discovers some new talents.
I'd certainly recommend this to anyone looking for a heartwarming read that celebrates Africa with every word. You can tell that Alexander McCall Smith loves Botswana and her people.
(This review originally appeared on my blog, Stella Matutina).
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opened a typing school for men and fallen in like with one of her students. And a male detective agency has opened across town.That probably makes this book sound tense and exciting, but the Botswanans are far too polite for anything of that sort. This book is charming, plain and simple. If you want traditional mystery antics, you'd best look elsewhere. No one ever shouts at anyone else, or insults them, or slaps them around. Instead, they approach even the most difficult of confrontations with friendly small talk and polite banter. They refer to certain people by their full names, (ie, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni), presumably as a mark of respect. They're genuinely nice to one another. It is not, perhaps, the most compelling thing out there, but it's still a pleasure to read.
This particular volume pushes the characters in a couple of new directions, too, and that's nice to see. My main beef with the last couple of books was the lack of forward movement. Things changed, sure, but there wasn't all that much to it. To be honest, there's still not a whole lot to it, but this book is definitely an improvement on the last couple. Mma Makutsi, in particular, comes into her own as she takes the initiative and discovers some new talents.
I'd certainly recommend this to anyone looking for a heartwarming read that celebrates Africa with every word. You can tell that Alexander McCall Smith loves Botswana and her people.
(This review originally appeared on my blog, Stella Matutina).
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LibraryThing member debnance
I'm tempted to move to Botswana after reading this series; the author has made me fall in love with this country and her people.
LibraryThing member reading_fox
Further incidents in the No. 1 ladies detective agency - a male competitor has set up, and life becomes even more troubled. Fortunately Mr Matekoni has recovered from his depression,but the apprentices have not changed that much. Mma Makutsi searches for love - can precious Ramotswe do anything to
Perhaps not as wonderful as the earleir works but still an enthraling read, full of hte joys of life.
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help?Perhaps not as wonderful as the earleir works but still an enthraling read, full of hte joys of life.
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LibraryThing member heidialice
The fourth book in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, this installment, we watch her assistant Mma Makutsi come into her own, managing the garage, starting her own typing school, and looking for love.
Quick and heartwarming as always. The characters are sweet and the good guys always win in
Quick and heartwarming as always. The characters are sweet and the good guys always win in
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the end. Nicely done. Show Less
LibraryThing member alanna1122
Wonderful, soothing - just as good as I had hoped it would be. The most consistently entertaining series I have read in a long time.
LibraryThing member bibliophile26
The 4th book in The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency Series. I enjoyed getting to know Mma Makutsi (the detective agency’s secretary) better in this latest installment. Although this book focuses more on the individual characters and less about the detective cases, the series is still charming and
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fun to read. Show Less
LibraryThing member TheoClarke
The continuing warm, witty tale of fallible well-meaning humanity in Botswana. This time the focus is on Mma Makutsi (Precious Ramotswe's assistant) although Mma Ramotswe remains the main protagaonist.
LibraryThing member punxsygal
A fast easy read--the 4th book in a series of stories about life in Botswana.
LibraryThing member readingrat
Another wonderfully enjoyable installment in the saga of the #1 Ladies Detective Agency.
LibraryThing member euang
A nice read: The Kalahari Typing School for Men is an extremely interesting story. McCall made a combination of a great concept and an outstanding execution to come up with a story like this which deserves all the applause that it has been given. I greatly enjoyed the book and recommend it to
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readers interested in McCall's stories or interesting books about Africa.Recommended along with: The Usurper and other Stories, Graceland, Disciples of Fortune Show Less
LibraryThing member MrsLee
This is one of my favorite stories in the series because Mma Makutsi stretches her wings and starts a typing school for men. Told with humor, compassion and care, these characters leap out of the pages into your heart.
LibraryThing member Eruntane
Another great Ladies' Detective Agency story. Thankfully Mma Makutsi's story was not as depressing as it might have been. And has anyone else ever wondered why the younger apprentice appears not to have a name?
LibraryThing member SLuce
Read on trip in Germany. Good airplane read.
LibraryThing member John5918
Another charming view of the better side of African life. This one, though, tangles seriously with adulterous husbands and saved Christians, and begins to address the changes that are taking place in society, including 'that disease which has run this way and that through the country'.
LibraryThing member cmbohn
I loved this one! Not so much of a mystery as some of the others in the series, but the characters and the setting are just so wonderful. I never knew much about Botswana before these books, but now I would love to visit. I feel like I know the people. Not sure what I'm planning to do with this
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book yet. Show Less
LibraryThing member Neale
Another great installment in the series. The books in this series are an easy read and enjoyable because they discuss a simpler life that still has its ups and downs.
LibraryThing member OzzieJello
All the books in this series are a delight. I read all of them straight through, one after the other, stopping only because I'm waiting for my copy of "The Good Husband of Zebra Drive" to arrive. If it were possible to actually spend some time with the main characters, it would be a pleasure. I'd
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even try redbush tea. Show Less
LibraryThing member teckelvik
The more I read this series, the more I enjoy it. The style is deceptively clean and simple, but the depth of characterization and plot that gets carried is impressive. The mysteries solved are not difficult, but the people revealed are complex. Even though Smith is not a Botswana, his evocative
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picture clearly shows his love for the country adnd the people. Show Less
LibraryThing member phoebesmum
These seem to become slighter with every instalment in the series – this one took me about two hours – but it’s nice to see Mma Makutsi coming into her own.
LibraryThing member Venqat65
Enjoyable book. Nice light read for the pleasure. I enjoy hearing about the customs and culture of Botswana, Africa as well. This book went into more depth on the life of the secretary. Very interesting. I can't read Smith's books in a row, however. I need a break between books.
LibraryThing member Figgles
Enjoyable and light without being shallow.
LibraryThing member mysteena
Read on the way home from visiting Melissa. Not as good as the first book, I think I'm losing my interest in this series.
LibraryThing member mysteena
Read on the way home from visiting Melissa. Not as good as the first book, I think I'm losing my interest in this series.