I felt that this book suffered from sequel-syndrome, although not as bad as it could have. The first book was far more character-driven, while this one has already established the characters and continues on without skipping any time between books (it practically picks up the day after the first book left off), thus all the weight is put upon plot. And since this book is a mystery novel involving several cases to be solved by Mma Ramotswe, well...

I felt that Mma Ramotswe, as a character, is put on the back-burner for this book, and more attention is paid to other character who may or may not warrent it. There's more about JLB Matekoni, Precious' fiance, and two orphans who join the family - warrented; but there's a lot of backstory for Matekoni's maid, whose plan to frame Ramotswe is built up heavily and then deflated before it really jumps.

The cases were not as interesting to me in this book - the formula has already been established and there wasn't anything special that was done - Ramotswe, level-headed and fair, uses her intuition and detective-book learning to smooth out misunderstandings/mysteries. There were a few times that I wanted to see her get fired up about something - really bring home the thunder on someone, but although she had plenty of opportunities, she doesn't rise to take anyone's bait. The main mystery in this book was the case of a missing American man/boy whose mother has returned to Africa to try and get closure. Well, the boy wasn't murdered, so no one is really to blame, and the South African tart that is the mother of his son (although she was also screwing around with the "evil" guy who "kind of" caused his death) (oh, and yes, McCall-Smith's agenda of disliking South Africa/Africans is quite evident here, in case you didn't pick up on it in the first book), is forgiven by the mother who enjoys an afternoon of catching up with her and the grandchild. So.... if you understood anything in that last sentence, pat yourself on the back.

I finished this book in a day. But despite the things that I didn't like about it, it was a pleasant read that was vaguely satisfying and not at all taxing. Also, there was a nice cliffhanger at the end of the book, when the grandchild notices that Mma Ramotswe's engagement ring is cubic zirconium.

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12110640

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books are my favorite comfort reads: peaceful, unhurried stories about a country the author loves very much. I think this one is much more solid than the first, probably because there are two main plots interwoven with Precious Ramotswe's other investigations. In the first, she's called on to find out the truth about a young man's disappearance and probable death ten years previously, and in the second, her fiancé Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni (who must surely be one of the sweetest and most decent men in modern fiction) adopts two orphans without consulting Mma Ramotswe first. The second plot draws me in because the expansion of their family before they technically even have a family charms me, and I love the girl, who is fascinated by automotive repair. These are perfect reads for a quiet afternoon.

What a beautiful and quirky world Alexander creates in this easy to read tale. The main characters are kind & gracious being humans at their best, fears and all. I believe Alexander enjoys women and their characteristics, while looking honestly at the laziness of some men in the tale. Such a joy to read a story about decent humans who know their strengths and live their lives with joy.

I enjoyed this installment even more than the first. When Precious deals with a few cases, the nature of humanity and interaction between everyday people shines through. More layers are peeled back about the area and its culture as characters continue to be fleshed out; philosophical musings permeate in the background of the pages. Changes come to Precious' personal life that will lead to a fuller life as the series continues, a very satisfying read.

Went back to this popular detective series and really saw a huge improvement in both the story and the cases being solved - actually the cases were pretty obvious but interesting never the less. We got a lot of character development with Mma Ramotswe and her supporting cast including two little ones who have found their way into her life and the story.
Maybe it was because I read this out loud to my wife and therefore could not just breeze through the book, or maybe it was due to her reactions but we had such a good time with this book and you could see a much more lush picture of the characters, as well as providing us with a lot of ethical issues that detectives and, we ourselves, need to consider in our lives. I guess you can tell we liked the book! This seems to be a series you can pick up at any time and slip right over to Botswana and join in all the fun, family and cases of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency.

Veramente una bella lettura. L'Africa è affascinante così come lo stile di vita dei suoi abitanti. Il singor JLB Matekoni e la signora Precious Ramotswe sono stupendi.

This is Smith’s follow up to the The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency and is another delight. The primary tale is Mma Ramotswe helping an American woman find out what happened to her son ten years ago. The Detective agency grows when Precious takes on her secretary as an assistant detective and gives her a case of her own. Ramotswe’s fiancé is visiting a local orphanage where he provides mechanic services for free when, after she learns that he is to be married, the madam in charge badgers him to take home two of her charges. How that all works out is a charming tale of its own. As is the case in so much detective fiction, it is place that is central to the story, whether the Fort Lauderdale of John McDonald, the San Franciso of Dashiell Hammet, the Los Angeles of Raymond Chandler or the Botswana of A.M. Smith. Smith has conveyed his love for this country and his affection for his characters using the format of small mysteries. Maybe one could call this detective genre soft-boiled. – A delight in any case. I am looking forward to reading the next four in the series.

Niente giraffe
Questo libro è stato per me una gradevole sorpresa, l’ho comprato come prodotto molto leggero ma la qualità mi sembra alta. L’autore Alexander McCall Smith dev’essere un bel tipo: vicepresidente della commissione inglese per la genetica, è famoso presso il vasto pubblico dei common readers per una serie di libri la cui protagonista è una matrona del Botswana che gestisce un’agenzia investigativa. In realtà almeno in questo libro emerge l’Africa dalla quale proviene l’autore e le aspirazioni del popolo del Botswana all’avere una vita civile in un paese civile,dove le donne possono essere istruite e indipendenti; senza offesa per nessuno, un paese che non consente alle donne un facile accesso all’istruzione e alla indipendenza economica non è ai miei occhi un paese civile né democratico e spreca metà delle proprie risorse. I personaggi più caratterizzati sono quelli femminili, del resto in Africa più che in altri posti i figli sono sostanzialmente di mammà. Sullo sfondo c’è una cittadina africana che corrisponde a quelle descritte dai tanti bellissimi libri di Doris Lessing. Il racconto si snoda sfiorando con delicatezza varie problematiche del paese, minoranze etniche, la dura vita dei boscimani cacciatori-raccoglitori nei tempi dell’economia globale.

I enjoyed the tv show (many years ago) of this series. However, it wasn’t until recently that I decided to read the series. I kind of do that a lot; read the books after seeing the movie or after the tv show ends. I like all of the history and customs of Botswana the stories provide as well as what life in Botswana is like. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoy the narrator, Lissett Lecat, and her very proper British accent and vernacular. This style of narration suited the characters and their personalities. I actually visualized Precious and JLB speaking this way.

Anyway, the gangs all back in this second installment. Precious, proprietor of the #1 Ladies Detective Agency in Botswana, and Grace, her assistant. There is also JLB, the proprietor of Speedy Motors, the local auto repair shop. JLB is still quite smitten with Precious and is still quite in awe of her and dreams of spending his life with her.

The book summary basically, just introduces the different storylines. In this installment, Precious has finally agreed to marry JLB (she declined his first proposal). It’s not long before JLB makes another life altering decision about his life and this too is one that will certainly affect the life of his future wife, Precious. JLB soon learns the consequences of making life altering decisions without consulting your wife, or in his case, soon to be wife. Additionally, after seeing JLB’s home, Precious knows that she needs to get rid of his “lazy” (her words, not mine) housekeeper. This becomes much more challenging than what Precious had initially anticipated.

n  “If you have been feeding him so well, then why is he thin. A man who is well looked after becomes fatter. They are just like cattle. That is well known”.n

There is also the storyline of Grace being promoted from and assistant to an assistant detective, now that Precious is getting busier and has more cases than she can handle by herself. Grace soon learns that being a detective is a lot harder than it looks and she struggles with the moral and ethical dilemmas of the job.

n  “That troubling issue of means and ends raised its head. Was it right to do the wrong thing to get the right results?”n

Precious’s cases and investigations come to satisfying conclusions; one more so than the other. There are no shocking and explosive endings, but once again, that is often the way of cozy mysteries. The best things about this series are the stories of Africa and the info that the writer offers the reader.

I like this series of cozy mysteries of a lady detective and her clients and her life in Botswana with her friends and now family. The characterization is pretty good for both the MC(s) as well as many of the other characters. The pacing is slow, but that is the way of a lot of cozy mysteries. The storylines are pleasing and interesting and the writing is well done. I am looking at an overall rating of 3.6 so I’m going to round up to a 4star rating.

It is a book that brings me peace when I read it. Learning about the life in Botswana and this bright woman that is achieving the things she believes in is just so inspiring and amusing! Great book!

When you read the book, you feel as if you are in Botswana, having a cup of bush tea with Mma Ramotswe, discussing her latest case. The mystery is intriguing, and as is typical with these books, there is more than one case to be solved. The solutions are not typical, but well plotted by the author. The characters are so well developed that you truly care what happens to them, and want to follow along from book to book on their personal triumphs and tragedies. The book keeps you guessing, and is interspersed with humor as well as cases to be solved.