Customer Reviews
fantastic read, captures Botswana in a charming way - By: J. Southern, 21 Aug 2008 
Having visited Botswana I can truly say this book, though a little more charmingin places than reality, is a good representation of the people, their majesty & the beauty of the country. It is a gentle read & enjoyablein that it is the firstin a great series. Its evident popularity is well deserved.
Back to the old familiar! - By: Juliet Platt, 16 Jun 2008 
I have been a big fan of AMS Botswana series ever since the first book, & have read them allin order. I shall probably continue to do so, simply because I have become addicted to their feel-good nature & total lack of intellectual challenge. However I have to say that as the series progresses they no longer offer anything new, although Grace Makutsi makes me howl with laughter.
I was going to say that this book makes a great holiday read, though having taken days to get through it on my recent holiday to Turkey I'm going to revise that. My progress was slowed by the fact that the events around the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency this time round failed to grab my attention quite as much as people-watching on the beach or nattering by the pool, so I would instead recommend this latest for a dreary winter's night when to be reminded of sunshine, warmth & community will be a real tonic.
Aaaaaahhhh! Like a mug of good red bush tea! - By: MayGoodComeToUs, 25 Mar 2008 
It is nice to see that AMS is backin his stride vis a vis the No1 Ladies Detective Agency! The last couple of the books of this series-though enjoyable as always!-have not been quite as "traditionally built" as the first few of the series, as I sayin my review of "Blue Shoes & Happiness". For those who say the pace is too slow, I understand, but that is Africa...Maddening for the first while one is there & then sorely missed & grieved when one is not. For those who say the plots are predicatable, well, yes, I suppose but, to me, this is part of AMS's "genius" because what he is describing is just...LIFE. Lifein Botswana, to be sure, & of a rather unusual person for her enviroment, but life noetheless. How many times have you realized that, really, your life is absolutely, marevellously exciting....to YOU, but upon reflection, is it really so to other people? Well, possibly not. But that's life! And there is something rather comfortingin knowing the end of the story before one reads it sometimes. So, settlein with a cup of good red bush tea (or your equivalent) & ENJOY!
Amusing, entertaining and thought-provoking - despite a degree of predictablity - By: Mr. Nicholas J Robertson, 18 Mar 2008 Slow paced, often predictable, repetitive, basedin an imaginary, utopian version of a very small country. Not really crime fiction & certainly not thrillers. So why do I like the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency so much?
I read "The Good Husband of Zebra Drive", having realised, on buying the recently published next bookin the series, & issued, that I had missed it out. My main quibble is that the denouement of this episode was itself very predictable, based I am sure on an "urban myth" or something similar - & while elements of the storyline are very predictable, I had not previously found the crux of the ending to be.
Professor McCall Smith writes unashamedly feel-good books, with a slow, measured pace & lightness of touch that makes you feel that Mma Ramotswe is leading you by the hand. The baddies, such as they are, are never really bad, & the conflicts around which the stories are based are ones between basically good people with everyday, minor flaws. I think that the intentional elements of predictability are supposed to reflect the sparsely inhabited place they are set, & the people who live there, who have lived their all their lives & are content to die there too as their ancestors did before them. Those of us who livein the West rather thanin this fictional Botswana are perhaps being invited by McCall Smith to consider that our frenetic lifestyles are self-inflicted & by no means a guarantor of greater happiness.
McCall Smith was a professor of medical law & clearly has great interestin philosophy & ethics. The books are readersin practical philosophy, a commentary on the differences between man & woman & young & old, a call to live a calmer life & to treat one's fellow human being a little better. And also, despite the predictable bits, they are amusing, thought-provoking & a cracking good read.
Four stripes for the good husband of Zebra Drive. - By: J. D. Naylor, 09 Feb 2008 Alexander McCall Smith has delivered the goods yet again with another highly enjoyable addition to the No1 Ladies Detective Agency series.As always it's light on plot but takes a good natured,well intentioned and,at times,reflective look at lifein Botswana.McCall Smith's background as a philosiphy writer is always evidentin the way that life's everyday dilemas can be examined,considered & resolved with the minimum of fuss.Precious Ramtotswae the main character drinks more bush tea than she solves cases but this doesn't stop you from enjoying these light hearted & fun novels.His minimalist plotting style won't suit everyone but i suggest you stick with the characters,get to know them & before you know it you'll be reading all the othersin the series & wanting more.At just over 200 pages long it doesn't outstay it's wellcome & can be read & enjoyedin one sitting.
