This one has Mma Ramotswe causing a bicyclist to swerve and damage his bicycle, which she brings to J.L.B Matekoni to repair.
We learn this man was in prison and cannot find work so she brings him on at the garage as an apprentice. Open incident with the teapot causes apprentice. Also, her husband Note returns after many years and threatens her because he needs money. Letting her know that he will tell the authorities that he and her are still married and her marriage to J.L.B. Matekoni is null and void. She decides to pay him off and travels to his home but finding him not there, speaks with his mother. She tells her that Note was actually married before HER marriage to him so in a turn of events, their marriage was actually null and void so she is no longer afraid of him. Mma Makutsi takes a dance class, meets a man, and agrees to marry him!

Whenever I am stressed, have too many deadlines, or simply have been reading too much heavy, sad stuff, I look for another in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. It is just relaxing, pleasant reading to imagine myself sitting under an acacia tree in the hot Botswana sun drinking bush tea... Although a totally different climate and history, Botswanna in a way reminds me of rural Costa Rica 20 years ago. The slow pace of life, everyone knows each other, and honesty and reputation and ethics are important.

I found this one to be more entertaining than some of the books in the series. I wouldn't recommend the "No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency" series to just anyone, but I admit I have enjoyed it. The landscape of Botswana is depicted beautifully, lovingly throughout.
I think some folks might NOT appreciate the idyllicism, the simplicity of characters, the repetition. The people and situations are charmingly simple (the style has been called utopian)and it really worked for me but I wonder if some might feel that the characters are just bufoons, and they might take issue with that. Also, I would be naive to pretend to know about cultural authenticity for this book--so I'm not even addressing that issue. For me, the constant repetition of themes and descriptions is a nod to folklore and the oral tradition of storytelling. And the situations are, well, sweet and lightly humorous. I really enjoyed this one.

So far, one of the best Mma Ramotswe books

No, maybe, yes

I have a friend who started a school in Africa and has been after me from time to time to try this series. The other day when I asked her if she knew of books about Africa, Again, this series was mentioned.

This is the 3rd time that I have tried reading this series. They were so boring that I gave up. This time I told myself that I would finish it. The 1st half of this book was so boring that I said to myself, no. But I continued. Then the book picked up and I said to myself, maybe. Last part of the book was so good that I decided that the series was a big, yes.

I believe it is that you have to get to know the characters in order to like the book because the book is rather slow. And by slow I mean it's not really a big adventure, the kind of books I like. But it was relaxing and delightful. I think you have to read them in the order they were published if you want to follow the lives of these characters.

A note to myself About this story. So far I cannot get down the names of the people. So bare with me.1 of the ladies came home and solved a drawer in her kitchen was open and a ball of string was on the counter.... Believed the sun buddy was in her house so she looked around. She should have called the police here. Another lady in this story, could be the same, joins a dance class and then felt rather awkward.

Notice. This review was dictated.

****Seventh read****

This is still my favorite of the series, with the very last sentences being the best of the lot. Several important characters introduced here, and some heartwarming moments. A lot of laughter too, although Mma Ramotswe confronts her past in this and some dark events from two characters’ backgrounds come to the fore at times. So, not all light and happy, but soulful and wonderful.

AMS, you’ve stolen my heart so many times. Luckily, you’ve stolen my husband’s heart too, so he’s not the least bit jealous (lol). I’m rereading this series this time with my husband and it’s making me appreciate these books on an entirely different level, seeing them from a man’s perspective. It’s been wonderful and we’re looking forward to the next book!



****Sixth read****

Kindnesses exchanged, and friendships made and cemented. That’s what this book is about. I just love it. Every time I read it. ❤️

***Fifth read***
These books feel like my children. Hard to pick a favorite but if I had to, this would be it. Special people come into play here and some terrific things happen. I love this series so much. It has become part of my soul. I want to live in Botswana with Mma Ramotswe and the rest of the crew; now, more than ever. If it weren't so hot there, I might be making tentative plans, just in case America hasn't come fully to its senses in November.

Here you can read my review in Swedish: http://jennyjag.wordpress.com/2015/02...

Here you can see my review in English: http://youtu.be/zqdbRI2YDZQ

I love the characters of Mma Precious Ramatswe, Mma Grace Makutsi and Mr J.L.B. Matekoni and have gained appreciation for Botswana and the respectful attitudes of its traditional way of life. The books in this series have brightened my evenings.

4.5 stars

What a lovely, sweet book this is! The main characters of the series are at their best here, from wise Mma Ramotswe and her good-natured husband to the incorrigible Charlie. The essential gentleness and humanity of the books of this series are especially evident here. McCall Smith's writing is simple but impactful, especially in the characters' dialogue, and the multiple subplots are woven together well and don't become cluttered. I love the part where Mma Ramotswe's friends and family stand together with her against Note Mokoti. My only real complaint is that the story occasionally seems to lose focus. But overall, the story is told with humor and warmth, and is the perfect antidote after reading something cynical and bitter. This book just made me laugh and smile!

3.5 stars.. Lots of storylines going on in this book, though none of them are actually investigative cases. The private lives of our detectives are complicated. Mma Ramotswe has a discussion about dishonest people and it permeates the book. (I don't know if there is this foreshadowing in her previous books, but I will try to look for it in the future.)

As always, I appreciate the brief summary of what's happened in the series in prior books, since it has been a year since I read Book #5. The different stories will be ruined if I say too much, so I'll just say that Mma Makutsi decides to take dancing classes, Mma Ramotswe's abusive ex-husband Note Mokoti shows up, and Mr J.L.B. Matekoni is still having problems with his unreliable apprentices. I was surprised that Mma Ramotswe didn't take care of a previous issue and also that she didn't confide in her husband. Mma Ramotswe swerves and a man on a bicycle falls down, breaking his bicycle. Mma Ramotswe has Mr J.L.B. Matekoni hire Mr. Polopetsi to help in the garage without knowing the details of why he was in prison.  I am truly sick of hearing about Mma Makutsi's 97% score and her condescending attitude over other people because of her self-perceived superiority.

This was such a good book! I love this series so much! I’m excited to see what happens next :)

this is a most enjoyable little novel about a large african lady who uses her inheritance to set up a detective agency. she solves small, human, mysteries in a clever way. warm, funny and thoroughly enjoyable stuff. the 6th in the series. humane, whimsical, and humorous as always. in this one, mme Ramwatsi has trouble with her 'ex', Note, and mma Maccutse finally finds a good man.