Currently reading....

Finally!  A new No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency book to sink my teeth into. I've just started reading and already I can tell that I will be spending the day with this book. I can taste the red bush tea, feel the sweltering heat of the Botswana sun hitting down on me, and hear Grace once again disagreeing with Precious. I just love books that are familiar and new at the same time. And now, I'm off to continue reading about Precious, Grace, and the rest of the gang in this beloved series.   

Happy reading!!

The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection by Alexander McCall Smith

About book:

In this latest episode in the beloved, best-selling series, the kindest and best detective in Botswana faces a tricky situation when her personal and professional lives become entangled.

Precious Ramotswe is haunted by a repeated dream: a vision of a tall, strange man who waits for her beneath an acacia tree.  Odd as this is, she's far too busy to worry about it.  The best apprentice at Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors is in trouble with the law and stuck with the worst lawyer in Gaborone.  Grace Makutsi adn Phuti Radiphuti are building the house of their dreams, but their builder is not completely on the up and up.  And, most shockingly, Mma Potokwane, defender of Botswana's weak and downtrodden, has been dismissed from her post as matron at the orphan farm.  Can the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency help restore the beloved matron to her rightful position?

As wealthy and powerful influences at the orphan farm become allied against their friend, help arrives from an unexpected visitor:  the tall stranger from Mma Ramotswe's dreams, turns out to be none other than the estimable Clovis Andersen, author of the No. 1 Ladies' prized manual, The Principles of Private Detection.  Together, Mma Ramotswe, Mma Makutis, and their teacher-turned-colleague help right this injustice and in the process discover something new about being a good detective.

My thoughts:

I absolutely love this series! So,  imagine my surprise to learn that a new book had been released this past April - I was happy for a new book, but sad that I hadn't gotten my hands on it as soon as it came out.  Nonetheless, I sat down over the weekend and enjoyed reading about the world of Mma Ramotswe and her beloved Botswana.

In this latest installment, we find Mma Ramotswe dealing with some very interesting situations, all of which are riddled with the usual drama and tears that always seem to accompany her cases.  We have a stranger in a dream who becomes a fast friend; a falsely accused apprentice; a matron who is unfairly dismissed from her job; and a builder who is secretly constructing two homes instead of the one that he was paid to build.  Looks like Mma Ramotswe has her work cut our for her this time round.  Of course with all of the secrets that need to be uncovered and the wrong-doings that need to be corrected, Mma Ramotswe is going to need the help of her trusty assistant, Mma Makutsi.  Then again, sometimes three heads are better than two - thanks to a Mr. Clovis Andersen - the man of Mma Ramotswe's dreams.

Suffice it to say, McCall Smith has once again knocked it out of the park with this newest addition to his popular series, the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency.  Or at least that is my very biased opinion - and believe you me, I am extremely biased when it comes to these books.  I just love them!  They are one of my favorite series and in my mind, McCall Smith can do no wrong when it comes to writing Mma Ramotswe.  There is just something about her character that makes me feel as I've been enveloped in a warm hug when I read about her.  Maybe its her voice or the loving way she talks about her country, family and friends - I don't know what exactly, but there is just something about her that puts you at ease.  Either way, I love finding out what she's up to- what cases are calling for her attention, which friend is in need of help, and just how is Mma Ramotswe adjusting to the ever-growing and changing Botswana.  And with this book I had the pleasure of getting to know Clovis Andersen, Mma Ramotswe's go-to-guy for detective advice.  All in all, the Limpopo Academy of Private Detection was a thoroughly enjoyable and fun read.  Fans of the series will not be disappointed!

The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party by Alexander McCall Smith

From book flap:

The latest installment in the beloved, best-selling series is once again, a beautiful blend of wit and wisdom, and a profoundly touching tale of the human heart.

At a remote cattle post south of Gaborone two cows have been killed, and Precious Ramotswe, Botswana's No. 1 Lady Detective, is asked to investigate by a rather frightened and furtive gentleman.  It is an intriguing problem - including, surprisingly, her own client.

To complicate matters, Mma Ramotswe is haunted by a vision of her dear old white van, and Grace Makutsi witnesses it as well.  Is it the ghost of her old friend, or has it risen from the junkyard?  In the meantime, one of Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni's apprentices may have gotten a girl pregnant and, under pressure to marry her, has run away.  Naturally, it is up to Precious to help sort things out.  Add to the mix Violet Sephotho's newly launched run for the Botswana Parliamen and a pair of perfect wedding shoes - will wedding bells finally ring for Phuti Radiphuti and Grace Makutsi? - and we have a charming and delightful tale in the inimitable style of Alexander McCall Smith.

My thoughts:

I can't believe that I forgot this book was coming out.  I love this series and somehow, I completely spaced out on the fact that Alexander McCall Smith had released a new one this year.  Anyhow, lucky for me I spotted a copy of it at (of all places) Target.  Of course, I grabbed it and ran to the cashier to pay for it so that I could get home and start reading it ASAP.  And let me just say how happy I was to be taken back into the world of Precious Ramotswe and her home country of Botswana.  These books are similar to drinking a good cup of red bush tea and chatting with one of your dearest friends - they are a pleasure.

This time round, we have duplicitous clients, a runaway apprentice, broken heels, and a mystery van.  Crikey, makes me think of Scooby Doo and the gang - Ha!  Anyhow, in the latest installment, there is drama and more drama and let me just say I loved it - mainly because it gave me the chance to catch up with my dear friends, Mma. Ramotswe and Grace Makutsi.  Basically, life is moving forward.  Grace is planning her wedding to Phuti and excited at the prospect of having a husband, a new home and a new life.  Precious is worried that she is seeing things, because she has spotted her tiny white van around town - this is the van she parted with because it was no longer in working order.  And then we have Charlie, who has earned the reputation of deadbeat daddy. Hmmm. What is going on? Will Mma. Ramotswe be able to save the day for everyone, including herself?  Of course, she will! I won't tell you how, but suffice it to say, truths are revealed and the return of a dear old friend make for quite a sweet read. 

Hope all you fans of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency enjoy this one as much I have.  

Happy reading!!

The Double Comfort Safari Club by Alexander McCall Smith

I just finished reading the latest installment of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith - and I loved it!! This series is one of my favorites and every time a new book gets released I immediately rush out and buy it. I can't help but dive straight into the world of Botswana and the latest adventures of Mma Ramotswe and her assistant Mma Makutsi.   This time round we have a mean aunt to contend with, an unhappy set of spouses accusing each other of infidelity, the theft of a house and an American woman's request to bestow a monetary inheritance to her safari guide.  All in all, another day's work at the office of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency.  The writing is familiar and easy to fall in step with.  The cast of characters are old friends and easy to reconnect with.  The descriptions of Botswana are vivid and lush, thereby making it possible to simply close one's eyes and envision it clearly.  The wisdom and wit expressed by Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi is tried and true.  And just like that I was once again swept away, only to be brought back to reality when the final page was turned.  Now I have to wait and see if Alexander McCall Smith will pen another book of mysteries for Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi to solve. (I'm thinking he will, because Mma Makutsi and Phuti still need to be married off).   Anyhow, I didn't really want to review the book, but merely mention how happy I was to read it. Sometimes, a light and simple text is all one needs to enjoy an afternoon - and The Double Comfort Safari Club was just that text.  Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend full of bookish experiences. Cheers!!

Tea Time For The Traditionally Built

Tea Time For The Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith

This is my first blog post ever, so I am really hoping that this reads well. Here goes.

I read this book in snippets over lunch every day because I did not want it to end. I wanted to savour it and keep the story going because I knew that once I finished reading the book that would be it. I have no idea if Alexander McCall Smith will write another No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency book, but I really do hope that he does. I read an article a few years back stating that the series had an end date and so, each time a new book comes out, I whoop for joy.

This book was no exception - as soon as I saw it on the bookshelf at the shop I snatched it up and ran to the checkout. Opening the book and diving into the world of Precious Ramotswe instantly cheered me up. This time round, Mma Ramotswe had to contend with the demise of her tiny white van, a football team's losing streak, and Mma Makutsi's insecurities over her fiance's new employee. Set in the beautiful country of Botswana and filled with cups of red bush tea, this book was a brilliant way for me to escape from the mundane trivialities that make up my work day. I was swept away by the vivid descriptions, characters and language of the text and just found myelf smiling, cheering and reflecting on these character's concerns, dreams, thoughts. When Mma Ramotswe worries about her husband Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni's late night drives back from a friend's garage, or when she ponders what the future holds for her two foster children Motholeli and Puso, I found myself empathizing with her concerns, because who hasn't worried about their loved ones' futures and the unknown of dark deserted streets. When Mma Makutsi treated herself to a pair of mock-crocodile shoes I cheered her on, because what hard working woman doesn't deserve to treat herself every now and again. As the story progressed and cases were solved, I braced myself for the end when I would have to say goodbye to Mma Ramotswe and her friends. Nonetheless, when I finished the book, I was left with a smile on my face and a touch of sadness in my heart, because now I will have to wait and hope that Alexander McCall Smith is working on a new mystery for The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency to solve. My fingers are crossed.