Still fun and light hearted. As all other books in the series, it feels like background music while you are busy doing something, the melody doesn't acquire your full attention but every now and then when you tune in, it still flows. I will probably check out next one when the mood is right, no pressure - just like our lady solves her cases.

It makes sense that as this series continues, the higher the stories are rated, because by now, the loyal audience will have come to understand what it’s all about and what to expect. But not me! Here I am on book EIGHT and I continue to be irritated by the plodding plot with the few weak mysteries sprinkled in — mysteries, mind you, that meander until all of them are “resolved” within the last five pages using convenient intuition or some random method that works only because the author insists that it did. You’d think I would recognize the series for what it is by now instead of being continually confounded by the lack of actual DETECTING in a story titled the No 1 Ladies DETECTIVE Agency, but no; this realization never dawns. Like in other books, a bunch of things almost happen among descriptions of life in Botswana. There, that sentence summarizes the series perfectly.

Alexander McCall Smith's stories are perfect for when one is tired of reading. You read his gently-paced books secure in the knowledge that, even though there may be moments of mild drama, nothing very horrible will happen and everything will be alright in the end. The solution to one of the mysteries was obvious from the start, but you do not expect intricate plots from ASM; the charm of ASM's books lies in the humanity of his writing, the goodness of the characters and the beauty of the setting. Best read with a cup of (bush) tea and slice of cake in hand.

Picked up this one at a book swap, a simple read.

tThis was a surprise eighth installment to a series that was supposed to end with seven. While I am a big fan of the series, I found this particular book to be disappointing for a number of reasons, most of them related to the plot.
tAs is his usual set-up, McCall Smith starts a series of mini-mysteries to be solved by the ever-resourceful Mma Ramotswe and/or her colorful assistant, Mma Makutsi. In this book, several characters get their own mystery to solve, some with more success than others. Some of the plot lines break down, only to be gathered up hastily with weak explanations. There is also a lack of continuity between some of the story lines.
tWhile the subplots have some definite leaks, the author's painting of the characters continues to be what makes these books so good. The reader learns a bit more about Mr. JLB Matekoni, although the mystery behind his depression remains as such. Mma Makutsi continues to have enjoyable dialogues with her shoes as she prepares for the next phase in her life. The children, Motholeli and Puso, make only brief appearances, as does Phuti Radiphuti.
tThere are still a few open loops in the tale of Mma Ramotswe and cohorts, so the author might not be finished with the series. Should there be a next installment, however, I hope that McCall Smith finds a fresh supply of creative plot lines.

No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency casebook No. 8): As typified by this series as a whole, yet another wonderful yet strangely compelling tale set in Botswana. Mma Makutsi and mechanic Charlie want to leave, JLB wants to detect, and there are no less than three cases including suspected serial murder at a hospital! It is actually quite annoying that one of the most charming and relatable and also positive African serials is written by a white dude in his 70s (he's Zimbabwean born, I believe?) 7 out of 12.

There are few authors who can create a set of characters as loveable and real as Alexander McCall Smith. His descriptions of Botswana and the happenings at Zebra Drive and Tlokweng Road are strangely compelling. Nothing big ever happens. In fact, the story itself is almost secondary to the characters and their daily lives. I know Botswana is probably not the nicest place to live in the world, but after reading one of his books you want to live there, drive a crappy car, make bush tea, and sit in the shade and watch life go by.

For anyone who wants to delve into these books I strongly recommend starting with book #1 so that you can watch the characters develop. Its too good to miss.

Now, I think I'll make some tea (regular tea I'm afraid) and contemplate what life on Zebra drive would be like. Maybe make some pumpkin stew.

This book stands out for me because of the shake-up caused by one of the main characters in the series... but it seems like things were righted appropriately and put neatly back in to place.

The case about the hospital was quite good - they already told this case on the BBC/HBO show, but they changed some of the details. I liked that it had much more depth in the books.

...and as a complete aside... I wish Mma Ramotswe's confidence, civility, and enduring optimism could be bottled up and doled out to the masses.

There are always two parts to this book that I take into account when I write the reviews for these books: the characters and the cases. In this book, the cases were incredibly interesting, but the actions of the characters confused me. Why would JLB Matekoni and Mma Makutsi suddenly doubt themselves? I mean, I understand the mid-life crisis thing with Matekoni, and Charlie is constantly trying to "find" himself, but Mma Makutsi is in her early thirties. She's a feminist. She defines herself by this job. WHY in the HELL would she suddenly think she's too good for it? Why would she resign in a huff because of something Charlie said, when in previous books she's always had the upper hand, and even at one point had him in line? I don't get it. Like, if this was book three or four in the series, it would make more sense, but book EIGHT?
I'm halfway through this series, and I'm going to finish it, but I sure hope books 9-15 don't drag like this one. I hope this is a fluke, though delightful as it was. 6.5/10

it was amazing

È il primo libro che leggo di Alexander Mccall Smith: mi avevano sempre colpita queste spettacolari copertine, piene di colori, di disegni africani, ma non avrei mai creduto che aprendole sarei riuscita ad immergermi davvero nell’Africa, a vivere per qualche attimo di gradevole lettura al ritmo lento, ma completamente efficiente della signora Ramotswe.
Nella Ladies' Detective Agency N°1 si vive al ritmo delle pause per il tè, quelle ufficiali e quelle ufficiose, ed i casi da risolvere sono tanti, ma senza frenesia: in Botswana questa parola sembra non esistere.
Tutti sono estremamente gentili: ogni situazione ha la sua formula di cortesia, e chi non si attiene alle regole risulta insopportabile al resto della società. Si sta attenti a ciò che si dice, non si alza mai la voce, si ragiona sulla scelta delle parole, che qui pesano come fatti. Per questo i personaggi estremamente complessi, ci appaiono semplici; o forse sono invece estremamente semplici e ci appaiono complessi.
Tutti i casi da risolvere sono di piccola entità, e riguardano tutti la fiducia: quella che la signora Ramotswe decide di accordare a suo marito JLB Maketoni e alla signorina Makutsi, quella che JLB Maketoni a sua volta concede al suo apprendista Charlie, quella che i clienti decidono di accordare o meno ai loro sospettati.
E con una serenità tutta africana si affrontano e si risolvono i piccoli problemi della vita; e qualora la loro risoluzione non fosse per il meglio, ma per il peggio, si continuerà ugualmente con molta calma, senza affanno, perché i problemi gravi sono ben altri e bisogna saper prendere tutto con filosofia.

E alla fine di concessioni e riflessioni sulla fiducia Precious Ramotswe giunge alla seguente conclusione:

Non sempre la fiducia premia. Forse alla fiducia bisogna affiancare qualche provvedimento cautelare dettato dal buonsenso e da una vigorosa dose di realismo riguardo alla natura umana.
Ma era una questione su cui riflettere molto a lungo e una pausa per il tè non può durare più di tanto.

This is a book about mistaken impressions. Everybody seems to make one, some regret theirs, but others are too arrogant to admit they can be wrong. It's not the best book in the series, but there are some insights that are valuable. Mr. Matekoni shows his weakness by continuing to enable Charlie, but finally admits to himself that he is no detective. Now, if he would just stand up to Mma Potokwane, but then Mma Ramotswe enables her as well. Strengths and weaknesses make the world of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency go round.