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I would love to learn about Alexander McCall Smith’s experience with Botswana, for the Scotsman’s series has arisen from certainly knowing the people and place. Whenever we open books, there should be no expectations except that they will tell us their stories. There are stories that surprise us by not having familiar structures and they are a gift. “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” enduring series is a fictional cultural portrait first, peppered with mystery cases for Precious’ career. This creates a constantly active canvas in full colour upon which the diverse peoples, lifestyles, beliefs, and interactions are portrayed; from the wilderness, countryside, and cities. Like most readers, I sought mystery adventures but now am happy to absorb any rich tableau of African life that these warm characters impart to me.
The first three novels did not hit five stars but I am a fan who is glad this series continues. “Morality For Beautiful Girls” got three stars for the unexciting state of a segue gap. It organized characters, premises, and settings like a game board, ready to move again in the succeeding volumes. Precious & J.L.B. are not wed yet but their adopted children are in her house and her detective agency shares his mechanics offices, to reduce business expenses. Her fiancé & children took a backseat, except for a spotlight on depression in him. It seems like an old, already well known topic for 2001 but I am unfamiliar with the land’s psychology.
I generally liked these tales, except an unconnected one about a wild boy, which I felt was in superfluity. My favourite storyline was Mma Makutsi’s: flourishing in her co-detective, garage bookkeeping, and managing roles. She goaded two lazy workers into respecting their jobs and J.L.B’s customers. Precious’ investigation of a poisoning family was also engaging.
The first three novels did not hit five stars but I am a fan who is glad this series continues. “Morality For Beautiful Girls” got three stars for the unexciting state of a segue gap. It organized characters, premises, and settings like a game board, ready to move again in the succeeding volumes. Precious & J.L.B. are not wed yet but their adopted children are in her house and her detective agency shares his mechanics offices, to reduce business expenses. Her fiancé & children took a backseat, except for a spotlight on depression in him. It seems like an old, already well known topic for 2001 but I am unfamiliar with the land’s psychology.
I generally liked these tales, except an unconnected one about a wild boy, which I felt was in superfluity. My favourite storyline was Mma Makutsi’s: flourishing in her co-detective, garage bookkeeping, and managing roles. She goaded two lazy workers into respecting their jobs and J.L.B’s customers. Precious’ investigation of a poisoning family was also engaging.
