One of the advertising blurbs on the back cover of this book describes McCall Smith’s novels as gentle and that describes the Ladies #1 Detective Agency series to a T. Precious Ramotswe and Grace Makutsi are contacted by an American lawyer who wants to bequeath a sum of money to a very kind guide at one of Botswana’s safari clubs. The only thing he knows about the man in question is that he works at a club with the name of an animal or a bird in it, and acted as a guide for an American lady who is now late (even the term for having died is gentle). Not much to go on! But Mma Ramotswe is not deterred, she will see what she can do. It is nice to be delivering good news to someone, rather than the usual fare of husbands cheating on wives and vice versa. Grace Makutsi is engaged to be married but when her fiance suffers an accident the #1 Aunty tries to block her from seeing her betrothed. And succeeds until friends intervene on her behalf.
If ever you want to read a ‘gentle’ book about these ladies whose detective agency in is Gabarone, Botswana, try any of this series. It will gladden your heart.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.