Pam M. (whodunnit) reviewed on 1/4/2009

Helpful Score: 1

It's always a happy surprise to see a new book in this series. It is the characters and the Botswana setting which make them so appealing. The main character is Precious Rotswama, an independent lady with a fondness for bush tea, an admiration for cattle, and a faith in her own small country. She has a keen understanding of human nature, and it is this which allows her to resolve the dilemmas her clients bring.

In this volume, her assistant, Grace Makutsi, is irresistably drawn to a pair of blue shoes. Perhaps her obsession results from seeing pretty and fashionable classmates being offered good jobs, while she, plain but with the highest marks, was passed over. The shoes turn out to be impractical and ill-fitting, and do not in the end provide the happiness Grace was anticipating.

The Ladies Detective Agency shares space with the auto repair shop of her new husband, Mr. J.L.B. Maketoni, along with his lackluster young apprentices. They always figure in each of the books.

There is now a new (and older) employee, falsely accused of misdeeds at a former job, who has been given a chance at Speedy Motors. He sometimes helps Precious when he has no repair jobs, and is anxious to take on detective cases. There is the woman in charge of the children's orphanage, an unstoppable force who inveigles Mr. J.L.B. Maketoni into spending hours repairing their ancient machinery. There are the two adopted children of Precious and Mr. J.L.B Maketoni.

Part of the delight of these books is seeing the familiar minor characters reappear.

Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details