Fourth installment in this amazing series. You don't read Mma Ramotswe novels for the action or even for the mysteries. You read them for the gentle rhythm of the narration, the wise philosophy of the characters. In this we rejoin Mma Ramostwe as she waits for her fiancée to set a date for their wedding after his illness. Mr Matekoni is slowly coming out of depression and finds his motor repair shop in the good hands of Mma Makutsi who shares her time between the detective agency and the auto repair shop. The joy of these novels is the intimate view of how the characters live, their values, how they set goals for themselves and go after them. Mma Makutsi finds a way to get ahead and make a life for herself beyond the limits of her current situation : single, with a sick brother to take care of and very low income. Mma Ramotswe faces competition with the opening of a new detective agency run by a male detective with international experience. Everything ends well, despite some minor moral growing pains. I like the philosophy, the values McCall Smith projects thru his characters in this simple, yet very nourishing for the soul, series.

A few years ago when I was going through a rough time, my husband bought me the first book in this series because he thought it looked like a fun read that I might enjoy. I've still never been able to thank him enough.

I'd heard of this series before, but had never been inclined to read it. However once I read the first one, I fell in love with Precious Ramotswe and Botswana. What a beautiful, wonderful land she lives in!

This has been one of my favorites so far, really letting us see how much women with strong wills can kick ass in a world designed for men. Sure, some of the "mysteries" were a bit predictable, and I think by now we all now Grace's typing school score, but that's irrelevant as it was still a thoroughly engrossing read. I truly treasure this series.

In this entry the detective agency gets some competition from a male detective. Probably even less mystery plot than the previous books but a pleasant audio listen read by Lisette Lecat.

Ecco una lettura che avevo dimenticato fosse tanto adatta all'Estate. Indubbiamente piacevole, è uno di quei casi in cui non corro al volume successivo perché non esistono colpi di scena straordinari o altre cose che mi forzino la mano, ma leggerò volentieri i successivi.

Fourth book of the series and it continues to engage its readers! Every novel in this series refines your moral fabric, impressing upon the fact in a subtle way. This book brings out the fact that it takes courage to admit one's misdoings and ever more so to go back and apologise and make amends. And wonderful things happen to wonderful people. A pleasant read!

Just as with all the other books in the Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency series, this one evokes a clear sense of place and characters. Simply put, it makes me want to be in Botswana right now. One of the things I like best about Alexander McCall Smith's writing is the way he develops his characters through their lives and actions and not much in the way of a narrator's analysis. The author seems to feel a great deal of affection for his characters even when they make unwise choices. These books are fresh, unpredictable, and plain ol' addictive. I actually read this one but have listened to the previous ones in the series on audio CD. I'd recommend listening to at least one title in this series to hear the cadence of the names and places.

I always enjoy going back to Botswana and visiting the ladies who run the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. I've read this one before, years ago, and I think I enjoyed it even more this time. I hadn't been to Botswana in a while so it was like visiting old friends. Charming as always.

A delightfully gentle series of books by Alexander McCall Smith - set in and around Botswana's capital city of Gaborone and stories of the 'No.1 Ladies Detective Agency'.

McCall Smith has created a lovely world of mainly (very) amateurish sleuthing - which whilst ostensibly the theme which is central to these books, is ultimately almost incidental. The main draw here is the cast of well drawn, well written, very memorable and on the whole very endearing (if occasionally frustrating) characters - Precious Ramostwe, Grace Makutsi, J.L.B. Matekoni et al and the interplay of their lives - the detective work and cases here become increasingly an incidental backdrop.

The 'No.1 Ladies Detective Agency' stories and characters certainly have an air of authenticity and believability (although obviously contrived and significantly exaggerated for comic effect) and interestingly McCall Smith did spend some time living and working in Botswana.

The first few books in the series are undoubtedly the strongest, funniest, most entertaining and compelling. Whilst later installments are all good - they do feel like somewhat of retread of ideas that McCall has spun out perhaps beyond their natural course.

Whilst serious themes are alluded to - feminism, AIDS and domestic violence; there is little here that is particularly thought provoking or challenging - but then that's not the point here. For anyone wanting a series of light, likeable, entertaining, funny, absorbing, well written and compelling amateur detective books - with a difference, then the 'No.1 Ladies Detective Agency' books are a must.

Good stories, simple truths - people doing the right thing. Ultimately these stories are all about kindness, forgiveness, restitution and resolution. Which in itself is surely a good enough reason to read at least some of this lovely series of books?

ANother wonderful installment to Alexander McCall's Ladies Detective Agency Series. Nothing to hard or complex to solve, but lot's of life's small lessons passed out. Another example of the wisdom of women.

I'm really stretching the 3 stars here. This book #4 just didn't sit right with me. The charm and cozy feeling was not there. There were several stories going on and they were all really tough subject matters. And Mma Ramotswe seemed to have become quite the man-hater, well except for her fiance.

This book, like the others in the series, was great. McCall Smith's writing magically transports the reader to Botswana, into each room, where he or she becomes privvy to each character's converstations. I can't wait to read the next installment!!!

Smith writes in a witty, contemplative style that is very pleasant to read. The series exhudes love for Botswana and the good, simple things in life, which adds to its unique charm. Though not the most riveting mystery, reading this novel felt like unwinding after a busy day by enjoying an episode of a much beloved show. As soon as I finished the book, I was itching to get my hands on the next one.